DRUG TRAFFICKER SENTENCED TO 38 MONTHS IMPRISONMENT

Martin C. Carlson, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, announced today that United States District Judge James M. Munley sentenced Kelly Kasper, age 23, formerly of Moscow, Pennsylvania, to 38 months’ imprisonment for her involvement in the sale of crack cocaine in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

On February 29, 2008, Kasper pled guilty to the charge of conspiracy to distribute more than 50 grams of cocaine base (crack). The conviction followed an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General and the Pennsylvania State Police. During the course of the investigation, the agents received information that Kelly Kasper was selling crack cocaine with Tyree Shabass and others in the Lackawanna County area. The investigation revealed that Kasper assisted Shabass by (1) distributing the crack cocaine to others; (2) introducing Shabass to potential customers; (3) driving Shabass to drug deals in the Northeastern Pennsylvania area; and (4) transporting Shabass to New York City to obtain more drugs.

United States Attorney Carlson noted that parole has been abolished, and Kasper will be required to serve at least 85% of her 38-month sentence, assuming she receives full time off for good behavior while incarcerated. In addition to the 38-month sentence of imprisonment, Judge Munley further ordered Kasper to be supervised by a United States Probation Officer for four years after serving her jail term.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John Gurganus.

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An indictment and criminal information is not evidence of guilt but simply a description of the charge made by the United States Attorney against a defendant. A charged defendant is presumed innocent until a jury returns a unanimous finding that the United States has proved the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.