Ohioan Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug Charg

JOHNSTOWN, PA—A resident of Hubbard, Ohio pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess controlled substances, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Kelley S. Johns, 42, 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 July 2008 to May 9, 2011, Johns conspired to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute quantities of oxycodone and methadone. In addition, evidence presented to the court at the time of Johns’ guilty plea reflected that Johns conspired with George M. Lowmaster and others in order to facilitate and promote Lowmaster’s drug distribution organization.

Judge Gibson scheduled sentencing for October 2, 2012 at 10:30 a.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.

Pending sentencing, the court continued Johns on bond.

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

A joint task force, headed by the Laurel Highlands Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Johns. Other agencies participating on the task force include the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation; Pennsylvania State Police; the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office; the Cambria County District Attorney’s Office; the Carrolltown Police Department; the Patton Police Department; the Ebensburg Police Department; the Portage Police Department; and the Paint Township Police Department.