DRUG TRAFFICKER CONVICTED ON ALL COUNTS

Martin C. Carlson, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, announced today that a federal jury deliberated approximately one hour to find Troy Corley, age 31, guilty of all counts of a three-count indictment on drug trafficking charges. Troy Corley is formerly of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and lived at numerous dwellings in the Wyoming County and Luzerne County area between early 2006 and July 2, 2008. The jury convicted Corley on the following charges: Count 1 - conspiring to distribute more than 50 grams of crack cocaine, Count 2 - distribution of crack cocaine on numerous occasions; Count 3 - possession with the intent to distribute more than 5 grams of crack cocaine on July 2, 2008.

United States Attorney Carlson noted that on July 2, 2008, Officers with the Wyoming County District Attorney's Office and the Pennsylvania State Police arrested Corley after a confidential informant made a “controlled buy” of crack cocaine from Corley within a residence in Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania. Forty-five minutes later, the officers forcibly entered that residence and arrested Corley within feet of an additional quantity of crack cocaine, a scale, and other drug paraphernalia. They also seized from his pocket $930 which included the $300 of “buy money” the confidential informant utilized to purchase the crack cocaine from Corley. In addition to the above evidence presented at trial, FBI Special Agents identified a dozen customers of Corley who testified about receiving crack cocaine from Corley. Many also described Corley’s carrying and use of firearms during the scheme and his trips to Philadelphia to obtain more crack for resale in Wyoming County. The witness also recounted the debilitating effect drug addiction had on their lives and the lives of their families.

In noting the jury’s verdict finding Corley guilty on all counts, Mr. Carlson noted that Corley faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment with a potential maximum of life imprisonment.

Assistant U.S. Attorney John Gurganus prosecuted the case.

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