A Johnstown, Pennsylvania resident has admitted guilt in federal court to charges related to narcotics trafficking and illegal firearm possession. Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti made the announcement.
James Dotson, aged 46, entered a guilty plea to multiple counts of a Superseding Indictment before United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan.
The court was informed that from April 2019 to July 2021, within the Western District of Pennsylvania, Dotson conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute significant quantities of methamphetamine, crack cocaine, fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine. Dotson was targeted by a federal wiretap and intercepted while obtaining drugs for distribution. Additionally, in June 2021, he unlawfully possessed a firearm as a convicted felon.
Judge Horan has scheduled sentencing for July 24, 2025. The law stipulates a potential sentence ranging from at least 15 years up to life imprisonment and fines up to $20 million. The actual sentence will depend on the offense's severity and Dotson's criminal history.
Assistant United States Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon is handling the prosecution for the government.
The investigation leading to Dotson's prosecution was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Laurel Highlands Resident Agency and Homeland Security Investigations. Other agencies involved include 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 other local law enforcement agencies.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation aimed at dismantling high-level drug traffickers and criminal organizations through collaborative efforts among various law enforcement agencies.