A Johnstown resident has admitted guilt in federal court for a narcotics violation, as announced by Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti. Kevin Johnson, aged 39, entered a guilty plea before United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan to Count One of the Superseding Indictment.
The court was informed that between March and July 2021, within the Western District of Pennsylvania, Johnson conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute at least 28 grams of crack cocaine. Evidence from a federal wiretap revealed his involvement in obtaining and distributing the drug.
Judge Horan has set sentencing for June 26, 2025. The legal framework allows for a sentence ranging from five to forty years in prison, along with a potential fine up to $5 million. The actual sentence will depend on the offense's severity and any prior criminal history.
Assistant United States Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon is leading the prosecution for this case. The investigation was carried out by several agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Laurel Highlands Resident Agency and Homeland Security Investigations. Other agencies involved were the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation; United States Postal Inspection Service; Pennsylvania Office of 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, among others.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) initiative aimed at dismantling high-level drug trafficking operations through collaboration between various law enforcement agencies.