Carrolltown Man Sentenced For Role In Marijuana Growing And Distribution Operation

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - A resident of Carrolltown, Pa., has been sentenced in federal court to five years of probation, the first twelve months of which must be satisfied by a condition of home confinement, and ordered to perform 500 hours of community service on his conviction of conspiracy to manufacture and possess marijuana plants, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson imposed the sentence on Rodney Lowmaster, 58.

According to information presented to the court, from Sept. 30, 2010, to May 9, 2011, Rodney Lowmaster conspired to manufacture and possess with the intent to distribute 1,000 or more marijuana plants. Evidence presented to the Court at the time of Rodney Lowmaster's sentencing reflected that he conspired with George M. Lowmaster and others to grow marijuana plants with the intent to facilitate and promote George M. Lowmaster's drug distribution organization.

Assistant United States Attorney John J. Valkovci, Jr., prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

A joint task force, headed by the Laurel Highlands Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Rodney Lowmaster. Other agencies participating on the task force include the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office, Cambria County District Attorney's Office, Carrolltown Police Department, Patton Police Department, Ebensburg Police Department, Portage Police Department and Paint Township Police Department.