Clearfield Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Distribute Methamphetamine
JOHNSTOWN – A Clearfield man pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of violating federal narcotics laws, U.S. Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced Friday.
Toby Lee Coker, 37, pleaded guilty to counts two and eight of the superseding indictment before Senior U.S. District Judge Kim R. Gibson.
In connection with the guilty plea, from July 2019 to June 2020, Coker conspired to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.
Further, on or about Feb. 20, 2020, Coker distributed a quantity of methamphetamine. Gibson scheduled sentencing for May 30, 2023.
The law provides for a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and maximum sentence of life in prison, a fine of $20,000,000 or both, for count two and a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, a fine of $2,000,000 or both, for count eight.
Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Coker.
Additional agencies participating in this investigation include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, Clearfield County District Attorney’s Office, Erie County District Attorney’s Office, Millcreek Police Department, Erie Bureau of Police, and other local law enforcement agencies.
This prosecution is a result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation.
OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles high-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten communities throughout the United States.
OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.