Drug Trafficker Sentenced to More Than 15 Years in Prison

Dennis C. Pfannenschmidt, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, announced today that United States District Judge James M. Munley sentenced Troy Corley, age 31, to 188 months of imprisonment for his drug trafficking activities in Wyoming County, Pennsylvania. Troy Corley is formerly of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and lived at numerous dwellings in the Wyoming County and Luzerne County area between 2005 and July 2, 2008.

In July 2009, a federal jury deliberated approximately one hour before finding Corley guilty on all count of an indictment which charged him with the following crimes: Count 1 - conspiring to distribute more than 50 grams of crack cocaine; Count 2 - distribution of crack cocaine on numerous occasions; and Count 3 - possession with the intent to distribute more than five grams of crack cocaine.

United States Attorney Pfannenschmidt noted that the evidence presented at trial established that on July 2, 2008, Officers with the Wyoming County District Attorney’s Office and the Pennsylvania State Police arrested Corley after a confidential informant made a “controlled buy” of crack cocaine from Corley within a residence in Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania. Forty-five minutes later, the officers forcibly entered that residence and arrested Corley within feet of an additional quantity of crack cocaine, a scale, and other drug paraphernalia. They also seized from his pocket $930 which included the $300 of “buy money” the confidential informant utilized to purchase the crack cocaine from Corley. In addition to the above evidence presented at trial, FBI Special Agents identified a dozen customers of Corley who testified about receiving crack cocaine from Corley. Many also described Corley’s carrying and use of firearms during the scheme and his trips to Philadelphia to obtain more crack for resale in Wyoming County. The witness also recounted the debilitating effect drug addiction had on their lives and the lives of their families.

United States Attorney Pfannenschmidt noted that parole has been abolished, and the defendant will be required to serve at least 85 percent of 188-month sentence, assuming he receives full time off for good behavior while incarcerated. In addition to his sentence of imprisonment, Judge Munley ordered the defendant to be supervised by a Probation Officer for five years after serving his jail term.

Assistant U.S. Attorney John Gurganus prosecuted the case.