Johnstown Man Pleads Guilty To Selling Crack Cocaine
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - Acting United States Attorney Robert S. Cessar announced today, May 10, 2010, that Michael Simms, a resident of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court in Johnstown to a charge of distribution of cocaine base, commonly known as "crack."
Simms, age 27, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson.
In connection with the guilty plea, Assistant United States Attorney John J. Valkovci, Jr., advised the court that on March 3, 2009, Simms distributed five grams or more of cocaine base.
Judge Gibson scheduled sentencing for September 2, 2010, at 10:30 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 40 years imprisonment, a fine of $2,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
The Johnstown Police Department, the Cambria County Drug Task Force, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (Laurel Highlands Resident Agency) conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Simms.
