Washington man sentenced to 7 years on cocaine charges
A Washington man was sentenced in federal court to seven years in prison for his involvement in cocaine trafficking between January 2011 and June 2012.
Keith Dale “K-Rizz” Malone, 39, of Bruce Street, will face an additional five years of supervised release for violating federal drug trafficking laws, according to a news release sent Monday from the Department of Justice.
Prior to his sentencing, he was in Washington County jail on $500,000 bond for charges of possession and possession with intent to deliver cocaine stemming from an arrest earlier this year. He was one of several Washington area residents indicted on federal drug charges in 2012. Malone pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to deal drugs in March 2013.
According to information provided to federal court, Malone conspired with others to distribute at least five kilograms of cocaine.
“The prosecution of Malone was the result of a long-term investigation that involved wiretaps on cellphones utilized by several members of the conspiracy,” according to the news release. “At the conclusion of the investigation, 20 defendants (including Malone) were charged in a large-scale cocaine conspiracy that operated between Warren, Ohio, and Washington, Pa. All 20 defendants have since pleaded guilty.”
The same investigation also resulted in 10 people pleading guilty to participating in a large-scale heroin conspiracy that operated between Detroit, Mich., and Washington.
Malone was arrested Jan. 30 by members of the Washington County District Attorney’s Drug Task Force after suspected cocaine was found when detectives served a search warrant at his home.
During fall 2013 and into January, the task force investigated the alleged illegal distribution of cocaine by Malone. Detectives said they made several controlled buys from Malone after they received information he was reportedly still dealing.
Detectives searched Malone’s home and a detached garage. Seven individually wrapped packets of suspected cocaine were found in the kitchen alone with nine suspected hydrocodone tablets. The cocaine field-tested positive with an approximate weight of 7 grams.
U.S. Attorney David J. Hickton “commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Malone,” the release said.