Elmora, Pa., Man Sentenced For Role In Lowmaster Drug Distribution Network

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - A Cambria County resident has been sentenced in federal court to five years probation, the first 18 months of which must be served by conditions of home confinement, and 750 hours of community service on his conviction of violating various federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson imposed the sentence on Paul X. Strittmatter, 32, of Elmora, Pa.

According to information presented to the court, from March 2009 to May 9, 2011, Strittmatter conspired to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana; from July 2008 to May 9, 2011, he conspired to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine; and from Sept. 30, 2010, to May 9, 2011, he conspired to manufacture and possess with the intent to distribute 1,000 or more marijuana plants. In addition, evidence presented to the Court at the time of Strittmatter's guilty plea reflected that Strittmatter conspired with George M. Lowmaster and others in order to facilitate and promote Lowmaster's drug distribution organization.

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

U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the joint task force, headed by the Laurel Highlands Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Strittmatter. 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.