JOHNSTOWN, PA — A resident of Clearfield, PA pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of violating federal narcotics and firearms laws, announced United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan.
Dennis James Rauch, age 38, of Clearfield, PA, pleaded guilty on Monday, October 2, 2023, to Counts Two and Seven of the Superseding Indictment before Senior United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson.
In connection with the guilty plea, from July 2019 to June 2020, Rauch did conspire to distribute 5 grams or more of actual methamphetamine. Further, in and around March 2020, Rauch did possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Judge Gibson scheduled sentencing for February 7, 2024. The law provides for a minimum sentence of 5 years in prison and a maximum of 40 years in prison, a fine of up to $5,000,000 or both at Count Two, and a minimum sentence of 5 years in prison, a maximum of life in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both, at Count Seven. 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 United States 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 Rauch. Additional agencies participating in this investigation include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the United States 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.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.