Roaring Spring Man Pleads Guilty to Methamphetamine Trafficking Charges

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A resident of Roaring Spring, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to multiple narcotics offenses related to a six-month Title III wiretap investigation into drug trafficking in and around Blair, Cambria, Centre, and Clearfield counties, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

Joshua Pote, 42, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge Stephanie L. Haines to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a quantity of methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute a quantity of methamphetamine.

In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that Pote was a distributor for a drug trafficking organization based in Altoona, Pennsylvania, that sold large quantities of methamphetamine and smaller quantities of heroin and fentanyl to various individuals throughout the Western District of Pennsylvania. Pote distributed methamphetamine to various users during the conspiracy.

Judge Haines scheduled sentencing for November 4, 2025. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1 million, 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 court ordered that Pote remain detained pending sentencing.

Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan D. Lusty is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Drug Enforcement Administration led the multi-agency investigation of this case, which also included the United States Postal Service—Office of Inspector General, United States Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Internal Revenue Service, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, and Pennsylvania State Police.

This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.