Hastings Man Gets Probation in Marijuana Grow Op

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A Cambria County man caught up in a marijuana cultivation conspiracy has avoided prison time, but will spend two years under federal supervision. Donald J. Weakland, 58, of Hastings, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to two years of probation for his role in a 2011 marijuana grow operation.

The sentence was handed down by United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson. Federal prosecutors detailed how Weakland conspired to manufacture and possess less than 100 marijuana plants, with the clear intention of distributing the drugs. The operation wasn’t a solo venture; Weakland worked alongside George M. Lowmaster and other unnamed individuals.

Evidence presented to the court revealed a disturbing picture: Weakland wasn’t just growing weed, he was actively fueling Lowmaster’s larger drug distribution network. He was a cog in a machine designed to profit from illegal narcotics, and his actions directly supported a criminal enterprise. The scale of Lowmaster’s operation remains under investigation, sources say.

Assistant United States Attorney John J. Valkovci, Jr., led the prosecution, building a case that ultimately led to Weakland’s conviction. While Weakland avoided jail, the sentence sends a clear message that even peripheral involvement in large-scale drug operations carries serious consequences. The prosecution didn’t release details on any possible plea deals made.

The investigation was a coordinated effort led by the Laurel Highlands Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. A massive joint task force, involving the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, Cambria County District Attorney’s Office, and multiple local police departments – Carrolltown, Patton, Ebensburg, Portage, and Paint Township – all contributed to bringing Weakland to justice.

This case highlights the persistent threat of illegal drug activity in Western Pennsylvania and the dedication of federal and local law enforcement agencies to dismantling these operations. The investigation into Lowmaster and his associates continues, and further charges are expected. Grimy Times will continue to follow this developing story.