A Johnstown man has pleaded guilty to violating federal drug laws. Walter E. Parks III of the 100 block of Jesse Lane entered his plea in federal court before U.S. District Judge Kim Gibson.
Parks was accused of distributing heroin in 2005. He also was charged with using forged prescriptions in 2006 to illegally obtain painkillers from five local pharmacies.
The FBI, Cambria County Drug Task Force and Richland Township police investigated the incidents.
Parks’ sentencing is scheduled for September.
In other crime news:
• Man charged with indecent assault
State police have charged Donald B. Garver, 57, of the 1300 block of Fourth Street in Nanty Glo, with three counts of indecent assault and one count each of indecent exposure and open lewdness as a result of incidents they say took place in July and August.
The incidents involved a juvenile who was younger than 13 at the time, according to the affidavit of probable cause filed by Trooper Kenneth Durbin.
The incidents happened in Nanty Glo, according to the police criminal complaint.
Reached by telephone Tuesday, Durbin declined to give the gender of the victim, citing the victim’s juvenile status.
A preliminary hearing for Garver is scheduled for June 23 before District Judge Mary Ann Zanghi of Vinco.
• Blair resident admits timber thefts
A Blair County man has pleaded guilty to stealing timber or the proceeds from it and not paying state income taxes from 2003 to 2005.
It’s unclear how much prison time 37-year-old Francis Ritchey of Claysburg faces.
A hearing will be held June 9 to determine the value of the thefts. That, in turn, will drive the state sentencing guidelines.
State prosecutors believe more than $300,000 in timber was stolen and say Ritchey likely faces up to 31/2 to seven years in prison.
Investigators say Ritchey illegally removed timber from land in Blair and Bedford counties without paying for it. In some instances, Ritchey agreed to split the proceeds 50-50 but paid property owners only a fraction of that.
Local News
City man pleads guilty to federal drug charges
- Local News
-
-
Proposed bill would expand use of traffic-light cameras
Some call it the hand of “big brother,” others are convinced cameras at signal lights would be effective in curbing red-light runners and ultimately saving lives.
-
Minister's trial date set
An issue has been resolved over the report from an examination of a girl allegedly taken by her mother to a Bedford motel to have sex with a traveling minister, clearing the way for a trial.
-
AP: Almost half of new veterans seek disability
America’s newest veterans are filing for disability benefits at a historic rate, claiming to be the most medically and mentally troubled generation of former troops the nation has ever seen.
-
Geistown beginning crime watch program
Residents will patrol Geistown streets in the coming weeks as part of a community watch program.
-
Persons of the Week: Nanty Glo vets will remember fallen comrades
Michael Kurtz, Tom Kasecky and Steve Kasecky will be among members of the Loy A. Douglass Post 3489 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Nanty Glo who will be honoring fallen veterans today, Memorial Day.
-
AG candidates face potential conflicts of interest
Both candidates for Pennsylvania attorney general have family ties that could pose a conflict of interest for the one who is elected as the state’s next chief legal officer.
-
Lawmakers: Capitol rallies unpersuasive
Nancy Richey stepped to the podium with a microphone at the Capitol rotunda with the hope that the right people would hear her message.
-
Richland closer to new chief
The search for Richland’s next police chief is winding down.
-
In brief: Thunderstorm downs trees, knocks out power
A late Sunday afternoon thunderstorm brought high winds, hard rain and hail to the Cambria-Somerset region.
- District Deaths May 28, 2012
- More Local News Headlines
-
Beryl Makes Landfall on Florida Coast
UN Blames Syrian Forces for Shelling Houla
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
