Somerset County Woman Sentenced To Probation For Role In Cocaine Distribution Scheme

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - A resident of Tire Hill, Pa, has been sentenced in federal court to five years probation, the first three months of which must be served by conditions of home confinement, on her conviction of conspiracy to distribute cocaine, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson imposed the sentence on Nichole L. Rankin, 26.

According to information presented to the court, from Nov. 2011 to July 18, 2012, Rankin conspired to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.

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

U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the Safe Streets Task Force initiative comprised of the Laurel Highlands Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office, the Blair County Drug Task Force, the Cambria County Drug Task Force, the Somerset County Drug Task Force, the Roaring Spring Borough Police Dept. and the Paint Township Police Dept. for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Rankin.