William Barton, Cocaine Trafficking, Pennsylvania 2021

A York man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for his role in a cocaine trafficking operation.

William Barton, 40, of York County, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on October 26, 2021, to 180 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner after Barton entered a guilty plea to conspiring to distribute more than 280 grams of crack cocaine.

According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, following a roughly year-long investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives which focused on drug activity at a bar in York City, it was determined that Barton was part of a drug trafficking organization.

Using an undercover federal agent, federal law enforcement purchased more than 500 grams of crack cocaine from Barton and his co-conspirators in 2019.

The following co-conspirators pled guilty and are awaiting sentencing: Michael Adams, 44, Denzel Swan, 38, and Furman Dennis, 40, all of York County, Pennsylvania. Co-conspirators Anthony Rankins, 40, and Dorral Basknight, 42, both of York County, are awaiting trial.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the York City Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the York County Drug Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Johnny Baer prosecuted the case.

As part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the case highlights the ongoing efforts to reduce violent crime in the community.

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