Two more charged in drug distribution

Lewistown men arraigned Tuesday for marijuana charges involving USPS

JUNIATA TERRRACE -- Two more individuals have been arrested for their alleged involvement in receiving or distributing nearly 300 packages containing marijuana sent through the United States Postal Service over a four year period.

Richard Alan McMillin and John Douglas Seachrist, both of Lewistown, were both arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Kent Smith Tuesday evening.

According to the Affidavit of Probable Cause, in February 2019, police were notified by the USPS postal inspector of a package that was suspected to contain illegal narcotics en route to 3 Hudson Avenue in Juniata Terrace Borough that was addressed to Richard McMillin, 44.

The inspector said at the time that this was one of several packages going to multiple addresses intercepted at the same time coming through the area.

A K9 scan run on the packages with a positive alert allowed the inspector to obtain a search warrant and open the packages, which were found to contain marijuana.

The return address on the packages which were intercepted was to Ukiah, California, a property rented by Fred McMillin, who was charged earlier this month.

A check of packages coming to Mifflin and Juniata counties from Frederick McMillin revealed at least 13 addresses and 292 packages which weighed over 648 pounds.

According to the report, about 54 packages were sent to 1 Hudson Avenue, or 3 Hudson Avenue, Lewistown. The report also states that the parents of Frederick and Richard McMillin reside at 1 Hudson Avenue and that Richard McMillin resides at 3 Hudson Avenue.

During the course of the investigation, police learned that postal money orders were being sent back to Fred McMillin in California to pay for the marijuana, which was being shipped to Pennsylvania and that individuals in Pennsylvania would assist Fred McMillin with the distribution of the marijuana when it would arrive and they would also collect funds for him. He would then come to Pennsylvania to collect the money and return to California. The report states that the activity began around July 2017.

According to the report, about 43 packages weighing more than 118 pounds were sent to 729 Jacks Creek Road, Lewistown, the residence of Seachrist, 57.

Frederick McMillin, 49, of Mendocino, California, was arrested on an active bench warrant in Juniata County earlier this month during a traffic stop in Mifflin County in which he was reportedly carrying a large amount of money and a small amount of marijuana.

Seachrist and Richard McMillin are each charged with operating a corrupt organization, two counts of criminal conspiracy, manufacture with intent to deliver, dealing in proceeds of an unlawful act/intent to promote and having knowledge that property is proceeds of an illegal act.

A preliminary hearing for Richard McMillin, Frederick McMillin and Seachrist is set for 9 a.m. June 2 before Magisterial District Judge Kent Smith.

Seachrist is held in Mifflin County Correctional Facility, unable to post $50,000 bail.

Richard and Frederick McMillin are both held in Mifflin County Correctional Facility, unable to post $250,000 bail.