Johnstown Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing Crack Cocaine
| U.S. Attorney’s Office August 03, 2010 |
Acting United States Attorney Robert S. Cessar announced today, August 3, 2010, that Michael Douglas Byrd, of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court in Johnstown to a charge of distribution of cocaine base, commonly known as “crack.”
Byrd, age 32, pleaded guilty to the indictment before United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson.
In connection with the guilty plea, Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie L. Haines advised the court that on November 24, 2009, Byrd distributed less than five grams of cocaine base.
Judge Gibson scheduled sentencing for December 2, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation - Laurel Highlands Resident Agency, and the Cambria County Drug Task Force conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Byrd.