ERIE, Pa. – A former resident of Erie, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Robert Jovaun Harris, 37, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge David S. Cercone.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that from June 2013 through February 2015, Harris engaged in a conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine. The court was also advised that on or about October 28, 2014, Harris distributed and possessed with intent to distribute 6 ounces of cocaine.
Judge Cercone scheduled sentencing for May 16, 2016 at 1:30 p.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 40 years in prison, a fine of $5,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Marshall J. Piccinini is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Pennsylvania State Police, U.S. Border Patrol, the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation; the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General Organized Crime Section, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Harris.