Three Altoona residents—Michael J. Makarikas, Brenda Ann Helsel, and Joseph Hillard—were charged with multiple felonies and misdemeanors relating to drug trafficking after police discovered drugs and paraphernalia during a trespassing investigation on June 24. Officers found heroin, marijuana, cocaine, fentanyl, meth, and various packaging materials at the residence, where Helsel’s two children were also present. Makarikas and Helsel waived their preliminary hearings, sending their cases to the court of common pleas, while Hillard awaits a preliminary hearing. All three are in Blair County Prison on $75,000 bail.
