Clifford Bernard Camut Jr., Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess wi…

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – In a stunning turn of events, Clifford Bernard Camut Jr., the 20-year-old resident of Blairsville, Pa., has pleaded guilty in federal court to a grave charge: conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin.

United States Attorney David J. Hickton broke the news today as Camut faced United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson, admitting his role in the illegal operation that spanned from spring 2011 to May 15, 2012.

The conspiracy involved multiple co-defendants, with Camut at the helm. The drug ring’s ambitious goal was to distribute a significant quantity of the deadly substance across Pennsylvania, furthering the grip of addiction and despair in the communities affected.

Scheduled for October 24, 2013, at 9:30 a.m., sentencing for Camut is a high-stakes affair. The law dictates a maximum sentence of life imprisonment or a fine of $4,000,000, or both. The actual sentence will hinge on the severity of the offense and any prior criminal history the defendant may have.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie L. Haines is leading the charge against Camut on behalf of the government, ensuring that justice is served for those impacted by this illegal enterprise.

The investigation that led to Camut’s prosecution was a collaborative effort involving several law enforcement agencies, including the Laurel Highlands Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Indiana Police Department. Other key players in the investigation were the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, the Cambria County Drug Task Force, the Cambria County Sheriff’s Department, the Cambria County District Attorney’s Office, the Indiana County Drug Task Force, and the Indiana County District Attorney’s Office.