Altoona Man Conspired to Distribute Cocaine

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - A resident of Altoona, Pa., pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Matthew Fee, 33, of Altoona, Pa., pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that from Jan. 9, 2014, to April 17, 2015, Fee conspired to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine.

Judge Gibson scheduled sentencing for August 10, 2016, at 10:00 a.m.  The law provides for a total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, 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.

Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie L. Haines is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Laurel Highlands Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office, the Cambria County Drug Task Force, the Altoona Police Department, and the Cambria County District Attorney's Office, conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Fee.