MONROE COUNTY WOMAN JAILED FOR 30 MONTHS AND ORDERED TO FORFEIT CASH, HOMES, VEHICLES, SILVER, GOLD, AND GUNS FOR DRUG OFFENSE

Dennis C. Pfannenschmidt, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, announced that a Kresgeville woman who helped her husband in a large marijuana grow and drug trafficking operation in Monroe County, was sentenced today to serve 30 months 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 Linda Brinker, age 59, 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 three others, including her husband Barry and brother-in-law 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. Barry Brinker and Ronald Brinker have also entered guilty pleas in the case. Barry Brinker was sentenced to five years in prison. Ronald Brinker is awaiting sentencing. The fourth defendant, Karl Truszkowski, is awaiting trial.

Judge Munley also ordered Linda Brinker to serve three years on supervised release following her 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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