Drug traffickers  draw prison terms

Friday, May 25, 2012

Three men involved in a Clearfield County drug ring received lengthy prison sentences Thursday in Clearfield County Court.
Prosecutors say the "Operation Drive Thru" drug ring brought vast quantities of illegal drugs into the area. Michael C. Styers, 54, formerly of Clearfield, was the center of the ring but when he was incarcerated, Charles Gearhart, 41, 145 Hunter Road, Woodland, ran the organization. The source in Philadelphia was Maharaji "Bean" Hemingway, 34, 1631 W. 26th St., Philadelphia, according to testimony at their trial.
The three men were found guilty in January of several counts of drug trafficking, including delivery of controlled substances, possession with intent to deliver controlled substances, criminal conspiracy, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, corrupt organizations and criminal use of communication facilities.
President Judge Fredric J. Ammerman sentenced Styers Thursday to 22 to 44 years in state prison and fined him $90,009. Styers's long sentence was due to his prior record, Ammerman said, referring to Styers as a "career criminal."
Gearhart received 11 to 18 years in prison and was fined more than $186,000.
Hemingway was sentenced to 17 to 26 years in prison and was fined more than $155,000.