Farrell Man Sentenced to More Than 15 Years in Prison for Trafficking Cocaine Near Public Housing

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Farrell, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced to 188 months in federal prison for cocaine trafficking within 1,000 feet of a public housing location, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon imposed the sentence on Cleo Johnson, 33, also ordering Johnson to serve six years of supervised release following his prison term. Johnson previously pleaded guilty in this case to possessing with intent to distribute cocaine base within 1,000 feet of public housing on October 29, 2021.

According to information presented to the Court, Johnson engaged in cocaine and fentanyl trafficking for months during 2021, including while near public housing and children. Johnson had several prior convictions, and sentences of incarceration, for drug trafficking, gun, and assault crimes throughout the 12 years preceding his 2021 trafficking.

Assistant United States Attorney Craig W. Haller prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States.

United States Attorney Olshan commended the Mercer County Drug Task Force, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Johnson.