Cambria County Woman Admits Marijuana Conspiracy

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A Carrolltown woman is facing serious federal time after admitting her role in a large-scale marijuana grow operation. Judy A. Bender, 49, pleaded guilty in federal court today to one count of conspiracy to manufacture and possess marijuana plants, a charge that carries a hefty potential sentence.

According to court documents, Bender conspired in the spring of 2011 to cultivate more than 100, but less than 1,000, marijuana plants with the intent to distribute. The operation wasn’t just about the weed itself; Bender worked alongside George M. Lowmaster and others to supply his drug distribution network. She wasn’t a lone grower – this was a coordinated effort to flood the streets with illicit drugs.

United States Attorney David J. Hickton’s office brought the case, and Assistant United States Attorney John J. Valkovci, Jr. is prosecuting. Evidence presented to United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson painted a clear picture of Bender’s involvement, sealing her fate with the guilty plea.

Bender could face up to 40 years in prison and a $5,000,000 fine. However, the actual sentence will be determined by Judge Gibson based on the severity of the crime and Bender’s criminal history – if any. The Federal Sentencing Guidelines will be crucial in this decision.

For now, Bender remains free on bond, awaiting her sentencing hearing scheduled for October 24, 2013, at 10:30 a.m. This case was the result of a major joint task force effort led by the Laurel Highlands Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The investigation also involved the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, Pennsylvania State Police, the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, the Cambria County District Attorney’s Office, and multiple local police departments including Carrolltown, Patton, Ebensburg, Portage, and Paint Township. It’s a reminder that federal and local agencies are working together to dismantle drug operations, no matter how deeply rooted they may be.