December 16, 2014

Oregon Man Sentenced to Prison Term for Role in Lowmaster Drug Distribution Ring

JOHNSTOWN, PA—An Oregon man has been sentenced in federal court to nine months in prison and four years’ supervised release on his conviction of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute marijuana, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson imposed the sentence on Brian V. Knee, 43, of Eugene, Oregon.

According to information presented to the court, from March 2009 to May 9, 2011, Knee conspired to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana in order to facilitate and promote George M. Lowmaster’s drug distribution organization.

Assistant United States Attorney John J. Valkovci, Jr., prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the joint task force, headed by the Laurel Highlands Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Knee. Other agencies participating on the task force include the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, Cambria County District Attorney’s Office, Carrolltown Police Department, Patton Police Department, Ebensburg Police Department, Portage Police Department and Paint Township Police Department.