×

Two take plea deals in drug-trafficking cases

Duo identified as part of group allegedly directed by ‘Fat Cat’ Devine

HOLLIDAYSBURG — Two people involved in a drug-trafficking organization accused of selling large amounts of heroin and cocaine in Blair and Cambria counties entered guilty pleas Monday in Blair County Court for recommended jail sentences.

Blaine Jackson, 41, and Melissa Coleman, 44, both of Johnstown, were identified as part of an organization allegedly directed by Damon “Fat Cat” Devine of Philadelphia. Police arrested Devine in February 2017 outside an Altoona motel after an informant arranged for delivery of 13 bricks or 650 packets of heroin. Devine’s case is pending and could go to trial this summer.

Jackson, who has been in jail since Oct. 12, 2016, will be credited for time served toward a nine- to 18-year sentence imposed in exchange for pleas to participation in a corrupt organization, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, possession with intent to deliver and related offenses.

Jackson was scheduled for trial in May but instead of selecting a jury Monday, Jackson agreed to enter the guilty pleas in exchange for the jail sentence as negotiated by defense attorney Richard Corcoran and Senior Deputy Attorney General Dave Gorman.

Judge Wade Kagarise imposed the recommended sentence, which also covered Jackson’s plea to a charge of illegal possession of a firearm, an offense that was separated from other charge.

Standing before Kagarise in prison garb, Jackson declined to offer any comment before being sentenced.

At a preliminary hearing in September, a Johnstown police investigator identified Jackson as having sold heroin and cocaine on behalf of the organization.

Coleman also entered guilty pleas in exchange for a recommended sentence of four to eight years with credit for time served. She pleaded to participating in a corrupt organization, dealing in proceeds of an unlawful activity, criminal conspiracy, possession with intent to deliver and criminal use of a communication device.

Gorman negotiated the plea with Coleman’s defense attorney, Dan Kiss, who asked that his client be permitted to defer her sentence until May 4. Like Jackson, she was expected to select a jury Monday for a pending trial in May. Unlike Jackson, Coleman has been out of prison since April 4 when Kagarise released her on unsecured bail after a review of the time she’s been incarcerated on the charges.

Coleman, answering questions in court, acknowledged that she and Kiss had reviewed the strengths and weaknesses of her case. She also acknowledged that if convicted of the pending charges, she would face more than four to eight years in jail.

Kiss also advised the court that Coleman is probably eligible for the state’s Recidivism Risk Reduction Initiative, which could cut her minimum jail time to 40 months.

Jackson and Coleman are the second and third defendants in the alleged Devine organization to enter guilty pleas to drug-trafficking charges. Devine’s mother, Barbara A. Tyler of Trenton, N.J., rendered guilty pleas in mid-April in exchange for a sentence of four to 10 years.

Mirror Staff Writer Kay Stephens is at 946-7456.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $4.39/week.

Subscribe Today