Johnstown Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Distribute and Possessing with Intent to Distribute Crack-Cocaine and Cocaine

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A former resident of Johnstown, PA pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Perry King, age 47, of Johnstown, PA, pleaded guilty to Count One of a Superseding Indictment and to Counts One and Two of an Indictment before Senior United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson.

In connection with the guilty plea, from on or about April 2019, to on or about July 2021, King did conspire to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a quantity of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine base, in the form commonly known as crack, and a quantity of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine. Further, on or about October 31, 2019, King did possess with intent to distribute and distribute a quantity of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine base, in the form commonly known as “crack”. Additionally, on or about January 14, 2020, King did possess with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine base, in the form commonly known as “crack:”.

Judge Gibson scheduled sentencing for February 8, 2024. The law provides for a minimum sentence of 5 years in prison and a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison, a fine of up to $5,000,000, or both, at Count One of the Indictment, and a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1,000,000, or both at Count One of the Superseding Indictment and Count Two of the Indictment. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Laurel Highlands Resident Agency and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of King. Additional agencies participating in this investigation include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the United States Postal Inspection Service, Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, Pennsylvania State Police, Cambria County District Attorney’s Office, Indiana County District Attorney’s Office, Cambria County Sheriff’s Office, Cambria Township Police Department, Indiana Borough Police Department, Johnstown Police Department, Upper Yoder Township Police Department, Richland Police Department, Ferndale Police Department and other local law enforcement agencies.

This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.