Johnstown Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Charges
| U.S. Attorney’s Office December 14, 2009 |
Acting United States Attorney Robert S. Cessar announced today, December 14, 2009, that Kwame K. Lassiter, a resident of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court in Johnstown to charges of violating various federal narcotics laws.
Lassiter, age 27, pleaded guilty to three counts before United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson.
In connection with the guilty plea, Assistant United States Attorney John J. Valkovci, Jr. advised the court that from November 25, 2008, to March 20, 2009, Lassiter and two co-defendants conspired to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base, commonly known as “crack,” and on November 25, 2008, he distributed five grams or more of cocaine base. In addition, on March 20, 2009, Lassiter possessed with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base.
Judge Gibson scheduled sentencing for April 15, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of life imprisonment, a fine of $10,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
The Johnstown Police Department, the Cambria County Drug Task Force and the Federal Bureau of Investigation/Laurel Highlands Resident Agency conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Lassiter.