Digirolamo Gets Probation in Cambria County Pot Ring

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Anthony T. Digirolamo, 65, of Lower Burrell, Pa., walked away with a slap on the wrist today, sentenced to three years probation for his part in a Cambria County marijuana distribution operation. The sentence, handed down by United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson, feels light considering the ongoing war on drugs, but the feds are claiming a win nonetheless.

According to court documents, Digirolamo was busted on May 2, 2011, caught red-handed possessing marijuana with the intent to distribute. The amount? Less than 50 kilograms. While not a kingpin quantity, it’s enough to land a man in federal court and, apparently, on probation. Assistant United States Attorney John J. Valkovci, Jr. handled the prosecution, a case that’s been simmering for over a decade.

The investigation, led by the Laurel Highlands Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, was a full-blown, multi-agency affair. It wasn’t just the FBI; the Internal Revenue Service- Criminal Investigation, Pennsylvania State Police, and even the Cambria County District Attorney’s Office all pitched in. Local departments – Carrolltown, Patton, Ebensburg, Portage, and Paint Township – were also involved, a clear indication of the effort to dismantle this operation.

U.S. Attorney David J. Hickton, while praising the collaborative effort, offered no comment on the leniency of the sentence. Is three years probation enough for someone caught peddling drugs? Many on the street would likely say no. But the government is touting it as a success, a message that sends a mixed signal to both law enforcement and the criminal underworld.

This case highlights the often-slow grind of the federal justice system. A 2011 arrest resulting in a sentence today? That’s years of legal maneuvering, paperwork, and court appearances. It also begs the question: what other players in this Cambria County ring remain free? The feds are keeping tight-lipped, but sources say the investigation continues, and more arrests are possible.

Digirolamo’s probation will be monitored, and any violation could send him back to court. For now, he’s a free man, a reminder that even in federal court, the penalties for drug offenses can vary wildly. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report any further developments.