Couple plead guilty to drug charges
By Phil Ray, pray@altoonamirror.comHOLLIDAYSBURG - A boxer from Gallitzin, Marcelino S. Flores, and his wife, Nicole, entered guilty pleas Monday to charges stemming from the breakup last year of a drug organization operated from a Scotch Valley home.
Marcelino Flores pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to deliver, conspiracy and criminal use of a communications facility.
Nicole Flores pleaded guilty to possession with intent to deliver, delivery of a controlled substance and conspiracy.
Blair County Judge Hiram A. Carpenter ordered a presentence investigation for Marcelino Flores prior to his sentencing, which he said will take about 60 days.
Deputy Attorney General Dave Gorman said Flores likely will receive a state prison sentence.
The sentencing for Nicole Flores also was postponed, although Gorman indicated that she has agreed to serve nine to 18 months on home detention.
Marcelino Flores was known in the Altoona area as a professional boxer who won Pennsylvania Golden Gloves titles in 1997 and 1998.
He also was friends with Miguel Padilla, who was sentenced in 2007 for the 2005 triple murder at the United Veterans Association.
Padilla, according to charges in the case, arranged with Isael Ramos of Raleigh, N.C., to import quantities of methamphetamine into the Altoona area. Ramos was sentenced in January to 14 to 28 years in prison.
The drug organization distributing meth and cocaine allegedly was led by Richard L. Hunter, 61, and Jodye A. Franklin, 40, who live on Scotch Valley Road. Gorman said they have not yet entered pleas.
After Padilla was arrested in 2005, it is charged that Marcelino Flores stepped into his shoes and continued to arrange for the shipments of meth.
Luis A. Rivera, who worked with Flores to transport the meth from North Carolina, has entered guilty pleas but has not been sentenced.
Mirror Staff Writer Phil Ray is at 946-7468.
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BOXERSBOO44
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08-30-09 5:41 PM
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LISTEN I AM SO SICK OF THIS TOWN JUDGING OTHERS, WHY IS IT THAT WHEN SOMEONE MAKES WRONG CHOICES AND HANGS WITH THE WRONG CROWD AND GETS INTO TROUBLE YOU PEOPLE ARE QUICK TO JUDGE, THERE IS SO MANY PEOPLE IN THIS TOWN WHO SELLS DRUGS AND GETS LESS SENTENCED THAN FLORES. I KNOW MARCELINO FLORES AND HE'S NOT WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING HE IS, HE HAS NEVER LAID A HAND ON ME...HE IS A FRIEND OF MINE AND HE KNOWS WHAT MISTAKES HE HAS MADE IN THIS SITUATION AND HE'S DOING HIS TIME AND I AM TIRED OF THE PADILLA TRIPLE HOMICIDE CASE BEING MENTIONED IN FLORES CASE, YES THEY KNEW EACH OTHER, BUT FLORES HAD NO INVOLVEMENT IN THE TRIPLE HOMICIDE SO STOP CONNECTING HIM TO PADILLA THAT WAY. I BELIEVE THAT HE HAD GOTTEN THE SENTENCE HE DID BECAUSE HE WASN'T REPRESENTED EFFECTIVELY AND ASSOCIATING HIM WITH PADILLA...STOP JUDGING THERE ARE MORE DEALERS OUT THERE THAT GET LET GO AND I KNOW MARCELINO AND HE HASN'T GOTTEN INTO TROUBLE SINCE THIS ALL HAPPENED..GIVE HIM A BREAK.....
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Lailasmom
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08-26-09 7:54 PM
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I actually work with her and she is the sweetest person you've ever met. If you read the article in today's paper you would come to find out that she left him as soon as she found out, but he beat her (while pregnant with their twins) and even put a gun to her head. When she finally was able to leave him, he got caught and told the cops she was involved in trafficking. She only received 9 months house arrest, so she obviously was found to not have sold any drugs. He has since signed his rights for the twins over and she cares for them herself. They have severe developmental problems. Don't judge unless you know the whole story.
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metrohick
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02-26-09 5:41 PM
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What pathetic losers. I have no patience or compassion for people like that.
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homegrownaltoid
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02-24-09 12:41 PM
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nuttin but trash, the whole lot of 'em.
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desertratt
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02-24-09 12:35 PM
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Why did they bring meth in from out of state when it is so easy to make it yourself in your garage, trailer, basement, barn....
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