PAUL R. WEAKLEY SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR RICO CONSPIRACY

Martin C. Carlson, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Paul R. Weakley, age 38, formerly of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to life in prison today in federal court before United States District Court Judge Thomas I. Vanaskie. Weakley previously entered a guilty plea to conspiring to engage in the affairs of a criminal enterprise through a pattern of racketeering activity, a charge commonly referred to as “RICO conspiracy.” The federal life sentence provides no possibility of parole.

According to U.S. Attorney Carlson, Weakley pleaded guilty on January 25, 2008. In his guilty plea, Weakley admitted that he, and others, conspired to associate with a criminal enterprise that engaged in numerous and wide-ranging criminal acts, including trafficking in controlled substances within a United States Penitentiary; conspiracy to obstruct justice through juror intimidation; the robbery and murder of Michael J. Kerkowski and Tammy Fassett in Luzerne County in May of 2002; multiple robberies, including a home invasion robbery committed in Monroe County in January of 2003; unlawful weapons possession and use; attempted theft; multiple burglaries; and arson of a motor vehicle.

The RICO conspiracy charge resulted from an extensive investigation conducted by the Pennsylvania State Police; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Internal Revenue Service and the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office. The Federal Bureau of Investigation also assisted in resolution of the case.

The case was prosecuted in federal court by Assistant United States Attorneys William S. Houser and John C. Gurganus and by Christian A. Fisanick, Chief of the Criminal Division.

Jackie Musto Carroll stated, “We are extremely pleased with the life sentence that Paul Weakley received for his involvement in the brutal killings of Michael Kerkowski and Tammy Fassett. If not for the extensive and continuous cooperation between state and federal officials we would not be where we are today in the prosecution of these matters. We expect that Hugo Selenski will be tried sometime later this year, and Mr. Weakley as part of his plea agreement, will appear as a witness for the prosecution in that case. Again, we are very pleased with today’s outcome. I would also like to thank United States Attorney Marty Carlson, as well as, Assistant United States Attorney Bill Houser, and other members of the federal team, for their enormous efforts in working with my office and the Pennsylvania State Police.”

U.S. Attorney Carlson stated, “ The conviction and sentencing of Paul Weakley represents a victory of the rule of law over those who would indulge in murder for money. The conviction of Mr. Weakley also reflects the latest chapter in an outstanding law enforcement partnership between federal law enforcement and our colleagues in the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office, under the leadership of District Attorney Jackie Musto Carroll, and the Pennsylvania State Police. We are all deeply indebted to these exceptional law enforcement professionals. Finally, today’s sentencing brings finality and answers to the families of the victims in this case. While nothing we do can heal the pain of their losses, we hope that this resolution provides them some measure of peace, and we all keep the victims in our thoughts.”

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