Press Release
Federal Judge Sentences Cambria County Drug Ring Leader To 20 Years In Prison
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Pennsylvania
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - A resident of Carrolltown, Pa., has been sentenced in federal court to 20 years in prison and 10 years supervised release 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 George M. Lowmaster, 44. In addition, Lowmaster was ordered to forfeit six pieces of real estate, three vehicles and $691,082 to the United States.
According to information presented to the court, from Sept. 30, 2010, to May 9, 2011, Lowmaster conspired to manufacture and distribute more than 1,000 marijuana plants. From March 2008, to May 9, 2011, he conspired to commit money laundering to hide the proceeds from the sale of his organization's drug distribution. Also, on July 23, 2008, and Aug. 21, 2010, he distributed less than 500 grams of cocaine on each occasion.
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 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.
Updated July 14, 2015
Component