Allentown Woman Sentenced to 70 Months in Prison for Participating in Cocaine and Crack Conspiracy

Martin C. Carlson, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, announced that a Lehigh County woman was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge James M. Munley to serve 70 months in prison for her role in a cocaine and crack cocaine trafficking ring that operated in Carbon and Lehigh Counties during 2004 through 2005.

Carlson stated that Tilesha Smith, who used the street name “Pinky,” age 24, was sentenced after she pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine and more than five grams of crack. Smith admitted to being a drug courier and to purchasing two handguns for the leaders of a drug distribution organization.

Smith pleaded guilty in September 2006. She was charged as a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police. Smith was one of twenty people charged in the case. Eighteen defendants have entered guilty pleas to drug charges. Two of the defendants, Christopher Berry and Alan Holmes, are awaiting trial.

Judge Munley also ordered Smith to be placed on four years of supervised release after serving her prison sentence. Smith must also pay a $100 special assessment.

Carlson noted that the case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa.