Johnstown Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Charges

JOHNSTOWN, PA—A resident of Johnstown, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of distributing cocaine base, commonly known as “crack,” United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Charles Cornelius Brown, 36, pleaded guilty to the indictment before United States District Court Judge Kim R. Gibson.

In connection with the guilty plea, on July 28, 2010, Brown distributed less than five grams of cocaine base, and on Aug. 25, 2010, Brown distributed less than 28 grams of cocaine base.

Judge Gibson scheduled sentencing for Oct. 25, 2011, at 10 a.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 40 years in prison, a fine of $2,000,000, or both. 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 U.S. Attorney Stephanie L. Haines is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Laurel Highlands Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Cambria County Drug Task Force and the Johnstown Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Brown.