CLEARFIELD – A former Houtzdale woman cried as she was sentenced to state prison for her involvement with a local drug ring on Tuesday.
Pamela Gavlak, 52, and her two children, Robert Gavlak and Catherine Anderson were also part of a group selling cocaine in Clearfield County.
Todd Mequim Anderson, 46, Catherine’s husband, was determined to be the leader of the drug enterprise and the one bringing the drug into the area from Beaver County, according to a press release from the Attorney General’s office.
Prior to sentencing on Tuesday, Gavlak’s attorney, Robert Donaldson asked Judge Fredric J. Ammerman for a lesser sentence than the probation department’s recommendation of 22 months to five years in state prison for Gavlak.
He questioned the classification of her case in the category of 50 to 100 grams of cocaine, which requires the long sentence.
Donaldson also claimed Gavlak had not actually sold the drug.
Deputy Attorney General David Gorman responded to this by saying there were documented purchases of about two grams of cocaine a week from her, which would put her total at over 50 grams.
Ammerman noted there were allegations that she was actually helping run the drug enterprise. Gavlak was emotional as she apologized for her actions.
Ammerman sentenced her to the full 22 months to five years in state prison.
Catherine Anderson, 35, was also sentenced Tuesday after she pleaded guilty to possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (cocaine – 10 to 50 grams), criminal conspiracy and criminal use of communication facility.
She will serve 11.5 months to two years less one day in the county jail and two years consecutive probation.
They are the last of the family members to be sentenced in this case.
Todd Anderson and his uncle, Leroy Bryant were previously given sentences of eight to 16 years in state prison.
Robert Gavlak also received a term of 11.5 months to two years less one day in the county jail and five years consecutive probation.
These individuals were identified after a series of controlled drug purchases.
Investigators seized more than 70 grams of cocaine, $2,750 in cash and drug paraphernalia through raids in Houtzdale in March of 2017 and Philipsburg in June of 2017.
In the original press release, Attorney General Josh Shapiro said, “This drug ring was selling more than $10,000 of cocaine a month – pumping their poison into Clearfield and surrounding communities.”