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8/28/2009 3:32 AM

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By Linda Metz, Staff writer, lmetz@observer-reporter.com

This article has been read 6437 times.

A 24-year-old Washington man admitted Wednesday to his role in the distribution of five kilograms of cocaine and more than 50 grams of crack in 2007.

Jerome "Bubba" Barnes, formerly of 116 Springfield Ave., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Nora Barry Fischer to two counts of violating federal narcotics laws.

Barnes was indicted in October for his part in distributing the drugs. Also indicted were Jeroid "Beaker" or "Beak" Fields, Barnes' mother, Patricia Barnes, and Bradley Elliot Matthews, all of Washington.

The indictments were the culmination of a more than two-year "Operation Kilo" investigation by a task force made up of state police, the state police Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the FBI and several members of local police departments into the transportation of kilograms of cocaine into Washington County.

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Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles A. Eberle said the investigation involved controlled drug purchases, the execution of federal search warrants, money seizures, and cocaine and crack seizures. Seized were more than $71,000 in cash, quantities of cocaine and crack, two guns and a bulletproof vest.

Eberle explained that Barnes obtained kilogram quantities of cocaine on a regular basis from out-of-state sources, and then distributed the drugs in Washington.

Most of the drugs were being sold in the Washington and Canonsburg areas, and in the Mon Valley. The drugs were being brought in from several areas, but the biggest pipeline carried drugs from the western United States, through Columbus, Ohio, and on to Washington.

Barnes also admitted to distributing 83 grams or more of crack from April 19 to April 21, 2007.

Barnes will be sentenced at 11:30 a.m. Nov. 24. He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, a fine of $4 million, or both.

Fields pleaded guilty in July. He is to be sentenced next month.

Patricia Barnes is scheduled for a change of plea hearing on Sept. 11 before Judge Donetta Ambrose. Barnes had pleaded not guilty and was scheduled to go to trial on Sept. 8.

Matthews' case remains unresolved.

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2 comments

Was it really worth it? : 8/28/2009
"Barnes will be sentenced at 11:30 a.m. Nov. 24. He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, a fine of $4 million, or both." Hope others think twice before they go down the same road.

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how long will he serve? : 8/28/2009
they say he faces the max, but after he flips on everyone he knows they'll work out a deal and he won't see life in prison.

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