JOHNSTOWN, PA — In a federal courtroom, Milton Paschal, a 44-year-old resident of Arnold, has entered a guilty plea to charges that could see him spending the rest of his life behind bars. United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced on Tuesday that Paschal acknowledged his role in a significant cocaine distribution network, marking a pivotal moment in a comprehensive federal crackdown on narcotics trafficking.
Paschal’s admission came before United States Senior District Judge Kim R. Gibson, as he responded to two counts of a superseding indictment. The charges stem from a prolonged investigation revealing that, from August 2018 to March 2023, Paschal was deeply involved in a conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine across the Western District of Pennsylvania. Moreover, in December 2023, Paschal was found to have distributed and possessed additional quantities of the drug.
The case against Paschal leveraged advanced investigative techniques, including federal wiretaps that captured him obtaining cocaine for redistribution. This evidence underscored his central role in the narcotics operation and facilitated the case brought forward by Assistant United States Attorney Arnold P. Bernard Jr.
Sentencing is set for August 1, 2024, with Paschal facing a minimum of 10 years to a potential life sentence, in addition to a fine that could reach up to $10 million. The severity of the sentence will be determined by the gravity of the offenses and Paschal’s previous criminal record, if any, according to the federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The successful prosecution of Paschal is the culmination of a joint effort by multiple agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Laurel Highlands Resident Agency, Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and various local law enforcement bodies. This collaborative endeavor highlights the concerted approach taken by federal and local authorities to dismantle drug trafficking networks and mitigate the flow of illegal narcotics within communities.
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