Tarentum man faces prison for part in drug trafficking ring

A Tarentum man faces at least 10 years in prison for his part in a cocaine distribution ring, officials announced.

John William Montgomery, 33, pleaded guilty in federal court before U.S. District Judge W. Scott Hardy to charges of conspiracy to distribute at least 5 kilograms of cocaine.

Montgomery admitted to being a member of the drug trafficking ring, officials said. He is one of 27 co-defendants charged in relation to the ring.

Members of the organization were found guilty of obtaining drugs sourced from Mexico and distributing them in Pennsylvania, California, Arizona and beyond.

The co-conspirators obtained the cocaine in Los Angeles and mailed it to Southwestern Pennsylvania using the Postal Service, according to a release from U.S. Attorney Cindy K. Chung’s office.

“Montgomery admitted that he received cocaine- laden parcels that were sent by co-conspirators and that he redistributed the kilograms of cocaine to co-conspirators and others,” the release said.

A two-year investigation resulted in agents seizing more than 100 kilograms of narcotics, with Montgomery admitting that the amount attributable to him was between 15 and 50 kilograms.

Montgomery could face 10 years to life and a fine of up to $10 million.

Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 5.

The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force.