United States Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan announced today, March 25, 2008, that Kelvin Antonio Garcia, a resident of Erie, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal drug laws.

Garcia, age 28, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Sean J. McLaughlin.

In connection with the guilty plea, Assistant United States Attorney Marshall J. Piccinini advised the court that on February 9, 2007, Garcia sold more than one ounce of cocaine from a residence at an apartment complex in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Judge McLaughlin scheduled sentencing for June 18, 2008 at 10:00 a.m.  The law provides for a total sentence of twenty years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, or both.  Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

The EAGLE task force, which is comprised of members of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Pennsylvania Attorney General=s Office and the Erie Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Garcia.