Johnstown Man Pleads Guilty in Crack Cocaine Trafficking Conspiracy
| U.S. Attorney’s Office October 17, 2011 |
JOHNSTOWN, PA—A resident of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of conspiracy to distribute cocaine base, commonly known as “crack,” United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Christopher M. Ferreira, 26, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that from March 23 to June 30, 2011, Ferreira and two co-defendants, Robert L. Harrison and Crystal A. McCarthy, conspired to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute five grams or more of cocaine base.
Judge Gibson scheduled sentencing for Feb. 23, 2012, at 1:30 p.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney John J. Valkovci, Jr., is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Laurel Highlands Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Cambria County Drug Task Force conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Ferreira.