CLEARFIELD – A DuBois man accused of making methamphetamines pleaded guilty recently in Clearfield County Court.
Eric McDonald, 31, an inmate of state prison, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, criminal conspiracy/possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, operating a meth lab, risking a catastrophe and possession of red phosphorus.
Judge Paul E. Cherry sentenced him to a total of four to eight years in state prison. This sentence will run concurrent with his current sentence of 90 days to two years for a retail theft case and a probation revocation sentence of six months to two years for receiving stolen property, according to court documents.
McDonald also pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor theft by unlawful taking charge for which he was given a two to five years concurrent sentence.
He was arrested in March with more than 30 other people for their connection with a drug ring that was selling methamphetamine and heroin in the area, according to previously published reports.
The arrests in “Operation Ice Storm” were the result of a year-long investigation that involved the DuBois City and Sandy Township Police Departments, the Clearfield County Drug Task Force, the District Attorney, and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General.
According to grand jury testimony, McDonald was at the Nathan Smith residence on West Long Avenue when police searched that apartment at the end of August of 2015. Officials found several items used to manufacture meth. The area was evacuated as a precaution.
Smith testified before the grand jury that McDonald stayed one day before returning to another woman’s apartment. She testified that McDonald asked if he could stay at her apartment to make meth to sell to pay his landlord. In exchange for the use of her apartment, she said he gave her meth.
McDonald also sold meth to a confidential informant in June of 2015.
Nathan Smith, 32, is charged with manufacture/delivery/possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and criminal conspiracy. He has also signed a plea agreement and is scheduled to be sentenced in December.