MONROE COUNTY MAN JAILED FOR FIVE YEARS AND ORDERED TO FORFEIT CASH, HOMES, VEHICLES, SILVER, GOLD, AND GUNS FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING

Dennis C. Pfannenschmidt, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, announced that a Saylorsburg man who headed-up a large marijuana grow and drug trafficking operation in Monroe County, was sentenced last week to serve five years in prison and forfeit more than a half-million dollars in cash and property by U.S. District Court Judge James M. Munley.

Pfannenschmidt stated that Barry Brinker, age 51, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to manufacture and distribute more than 100 marijuana plants, more than 100 kilograms of marijuana, psilocybe mushrooms, and methamphetamine.

Brinker and four others, including his wife Linda and brother Ronald, were indicted by a federal grand jury in October 2008, as a result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The offenses allegedly occurred between 2005 and October 17, 2008. Linda Brinker and Ronald Brinker have also entered guilty pleas in the case and are awaiting sentencing. The fourth defendant, Karl Truszkowski, is awaiting trial.

Judge Munley also ordered Brinker to serve four years on supervised release following his prison sentence, and to pay a $100 special assessment.

Brinker was also ordered to forfeit to the United States four residences, three vehicles, over $270,000 in cash, silver, gold, and firearms seized during the investigation.

Pfannenschmidt noted that Assistant United States Attorney Francis P. Sempa prosecuted the case.

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