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Shamokin man gets probation in drug case
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share thisWILLIAMSPORT - Robert Lee Knoeppel, 33, of Shamokin, who was among more than 20 charged in a drug ring that operated in multiple counties between January 2004 and 2006, was placed on three years' probation last week by U.S. Middle District Judge John E. Jones III.
In sentencing Knoeppel, Jones noted that the defendant was a minor player in the drug organization, operates his own business and appears to have cleaned up his addiction.
Knoeppel was charged with 22 others with participating in a drug ring in Columbia, Montour, Northumberland and Snyder counties.
He pleaded guilty in March 2008 to a charge of criminal use of a communication device to facilitate the distribution of 100 to 200 grams of cocaine.
As part of his plea, Knoeppel agreed to forfeit any interest he had in items seized during the investigation, which include a Milton property, a car, motorcycle, more than $110,000 in cash and various weapons.
The forfeiture clause also was contained in plea agreements with other defendants.
The government alleged participants in the drug ring would travel to New York and Connecticut to obtain cocaine, heroin and marijuana, which was distributed through a network of sellers and users in central Pennsylvania.
Danny Fuentes, of Scranton, one of the reputed leaders of the organization, is serving a 12-year prison term.
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