ALTOONA, PA — A months-long fentanyl trafficking investigation culminated in the arrest of three men Wednesday in connection with high-potency fentanyl packets stamped with a Chucky doll face, linked to numerous drug overdoses in Altoona.
Arrested were:
Xavier Jabree Herring, 18, of Philadelphia
Amir Ishan Palmer-Kennedy, 20, of Philadelphia
Raymone Deahaun Kitchens, 22, of Altoona
The suspects were taken into custody after Altoona police, state troopers, and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office trailed a silver Chevrolet Malibu known for drug trafficking activity. The group was observed making stops at various locations, including Microtel Hotel, Sheetz, and Evergreen Manors, with alleged hand-to-hand drug exchanges witnessed by officers.
During the surveillance, a woman was seen exiting the Malibu with a packet of blue wax fentanyl stamped with the Chucky doll image. She later confirmed she had purchased the drugs from “Ray Ray”—later identified as Kitchens—inside the car.
A traffic stop led to the arrest of the trio. A K-9 unit alerted to the presence of drugs, prompting a search warrant. Inside the vehicle, police found:
17 blue fentanyl packets
A marijuana blunt
$521 in cash, including task force funds from a prior buy
Drugs concealed in a sock hidden within a car panel
Charges and Bail:
Xavier Herring: Felony drug distribution, conspiracy, and marijuana possession. Bail: $100,000
Amir Palmer-Kennedy: Felony distribution, conspiracy, paraphernalia, evidence tampering. Bail: $100,000
Raymone Kitchens: Same felony charges, plus false ID. No bail due to active warrants in Philadelphia for drug and theft offenses
Police say the “Chucky” fentanyl packets are twice as potent and twice as expensive as regular street fentanyl, contributing to a surge in overdoses in Altoona.
All three suspects are scheduled for preliminary hearings on June 18 before Magisterial District Judge Benjamin F. Jones.
