Police searching for Hempfield fugitive in meth ring case; 4 others in custody

Authorities are searching for a Westmoreland County man wanted in connection to a methamphetamine ring after arresting his brother and three other alleged conspirators, federal prosecutors said.

Zachary Miller, 27, of Hempfield, was deemed a fugitive Friday after being indicted by a grand jury, according to U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady.

His brother, Samuel Miller, 25, of Hempfield, was arrested Thursday in relation to the same indictment, said Margaret Philbin, spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Also arrested Thursday were co-defendants Joshua Birrell, 37, of Cypress, Calif., and Alan Masecar, 33, of Unity.

All three are in custody pending detention hearings, Philbin said.

A fifth co-defendant, Jessica Palmer, 39, of Unity, already was in state custody when the grand jury returned the new indictment, according to Philbin.

From September 2017 through August, the group is accused of plotting to acquire and sell 500 grams or more of a meth mixture to addicts in Western Pennsylvania, the indictment says.

Masecar, Zachary Miller and Palmer also are charged with additional drug distribution counts.

The charges carry possible sentences of 10 years to a maximum of life in prison and fines up to $5 million to $10 million.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebecca L. Silinski is prosecuting the case with help from the FBI’s Greater Pittsburgh Safe Streets Task Force.

The Postal Inspection Service and Drug Enforcement Administration assisted in the investigation, as did the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, state police and Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.

Officials asked anyone with information about Zachary Miller’s whereabouts to call the FBI at 412-432-4000.