Erie Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing Crack Cocaine

ERIE, PA—A resident of Erie, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal drug laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Mario Hull, 31, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Sean J. McLaughlin.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on July 1, 2010, Hull distributed approximately two ounces of crack cocaine.

Judge McLaughlin scheduled sentencing for July 9, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 40 years in prison, a fine of $5,000,000, 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 Marshall J. Piccinini is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The EAGLE Task Force, which is comprised of members of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Erie Police Department, conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Hull.