Cambria County Man Pleads Guilty In Marijuana Trafficking Conspiracy

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - A resident of Elmora, Pa., pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess marijuana, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Joshua V. Bradley, 36, 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 March 2009 to May 9, 2011, Bradley conspired to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana. In addition, evidence presented to the court at the time of Bradley's guilty plea reflected that Bradley conspired with George M. Lowmaster and others to facilitate and promote Lowmaster's drug distribution organization.

Judge Gibson scheduled sentencing for Oct. 31, 2013, at 10:30 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.

Pending sentencing, the court continued Bradley 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 Bradley. 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.