News

November 24, 2009

Tunkhannock-based cocaine dealer could spend 15 years in jail, plus supervision

A Tunkhannock-based crack-cocaine dealer was sentenced on three charges to 188 months in prison, the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced Monday.

Troy Corley, 31, was charged with conspiring to distribute more than 50 grams of crack cocaine, distribution of crack cocaine on numerous occasions and possession with the intent to distribute more than 5 grams of crack cocaine.

Since parole has been abolished, U.S. Attorney Dennis C. Pfannenschmidt noted, Corley will be required to serve at least 85 percent of the sentence, assuming he receives full time off for good behavior while incarcerated. Additionally, he will receive five years of probation supervision, per an order of U.S. District Judge James M. Munley, who sentenced Corley.

Formerly of Philadelphia, Corley lived at various residences in Wyoming and Luzerne counties between 2005 and July 2, 2008, according to a news release.

In July, it took about an hour for a federal jury to find him guilty, according to the release. During trial, which was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Gurganus, it was found that:

On July 2, 2008, a confidential informant made a “controlled buy” from Corley within a Tunkhannock residence.

Roughly 45 minutes later, officers with the Wyoming County District Attorney’s Office and the Pennsylvania State Police arrested Corley, forcibly entering the residence to find him within feet of an additional quantity of crack cocaine, a scale and other drug paraphernalia. They also seized from his pocket $930, including the $300 of “buy money” the confidential informant utilized for the purchase.

Additionally, a dozen of Corley’s customers testified at trial to receiving crack cocaine from him, to his carrying and use of firearms during sales and his trips to Philadelphia to obtain more crack for resale in Wyoming County.

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