Martin C. Carlson, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, announced that two remaining defendants allegedly connected to a Carbon County-based drug conspiracy were charged yesterday by a federal grand jury with additional drug and gun charges.
Carlson stated that Christopher Berry, age 31, who used the street name of “Love,” and Alan Holmes, age 25, who used the street name of “Po,” were charged with conspiracy to distribute more than 50 grams of crack cocaine, more than five kilograms of cocaine, and heroin; carrying and possessing firearms in relation to and in furtherance of a drug conspiracy; illegally possessing firearms as convicted felons; and three counts of aiding and abetting the use of a residence to store, distribute, and use illegal drugs. Berry was additionally charged with six counts of distributing and aiding and abetting the distribution of cocaine and crack cocaine.
The second superseding indictment resulted from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Pennsylvania State Police, and local police in Carbon County. More than 20 people were originally charged in the case. All but Berry and Holmes have entered guilty pleas to drug charges in federal court.
If convicted of the charges, Berry and Holmes face a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison, and a maximum sentence of life in prison. The second superseding indictment also includes a forfeiture count in which the government is seeking to forfeit firearms, ammunition, and over $7,000 in cash seized as a result of the investigation.
Carlson noted that Assistant United States Attorney Francis P. Sempa is prosecuting the case.
