Belle Vernon drug dealer found guilty
A Belle Vernon man who investigators say had a drug operation in Monessen and Monongahela was found guilty Friday of drug charges following a five-day trial in Westmoreland County Court.
James Perry III, 47, of Belle Vernon, was found guilty of possession with intent to deliver heroin, cocaine and Opana and conspiracy on the charges filed in July 2011 by an investigator with the state attorney general’s office. The trial was held before Judge Meagan Bilik-DeFazio.
A co-defendant, Kimberly Ann Kibelek, 42, also of Belle Vernon, pleaded guilty to the same charges in October 2012.
The investigation into Perry began in March 2010 after police received reports he was selling drugs in the Mon Valley, using Kibelek’s residence as an open stash house.
Monessen police Lt. Jim Smith said Perry was charged with distributing 47 grams of heroin, crack and cocaine and 173 Opana tablets. Monessen police worked with the attorney general’s office.
It is the second time Perry’s case has been tried in Westmoreland County. A trial in April ended in a mistrial as a result of a hung jury.
Perry, who remains in Westmoreland County jail, is expected to be sentenced in 90 days after a presentence investigation.