A city man pleaded guilty Friday in U.S. Middle District Court to playing a role in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine in the city.
Earl Sampson, 54, of 729 Elmira St., pleaded guilty before U.S. 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Thomas I. Vanaskie to a charge of conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine related to the distribution of 28 grams of the drug.
Vanaskie, who handled the case while still a U.S. Middle District Judge, set sentencing for late in May.
In his guilty plea, Sampson agreed to a sentence of five and six years in a federal prison.
Sampson dealt cocaine with Dorothy Mae Mae Robinson, a former city resident who is serving 18 years in prison for her lead role in the conspiracy, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Simmers said.
Sampson's distributed the drug from 725 High St. between 2004 and 2007, according to Simmers.
"Many of the drug users (who bought from Sampson) were taking money from Social Security disability benefit checks to smoke crack cocaine," Simmers added.
"He dealt directly with people who would go to the door of the house, either unannounced or (after) calls were made," Simmers said.
The house is within 1,000 feet of Flanigan Park and 1,000 feet from public housing, the prosecutor added.
Vanaskie agreed to remove the electronic monitoring device on Sampson and no longer keep him under house arrest. Sampson told Vanaskie he would appear in court for his sentencing.
