NEW ALBANY MAN FEDERALLY SENTENCED FOR METHAMPHETAMINE CONSPIRACY AND DISTRIBUTION

Martin C. Carlson, Acting United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, announced that Walter Tech, age 49, of New Albany, Pennsylvania, was sentenced yesterday by United States District Judge Thomas I. Vanaskie to a term of imprisonment for conspiracy to distribute of at least 500 grams but less than 1.5 kilograms of methamphetamine. Judge Vanaskie sentenced Tech to a 78 month term of imprisonment and further ordered that Tech pay restitution to the Pennsylvania State Police for their work in dismantling the lab.

According to Acting U.S. Attorney Carlson, on December 22, 2006, Bradford County Sheriffs served Tech with a Protection From Abuse order at his residence. Pursuant to the PFA order, sheriffs were requesting that Tech turn over his firearms. As a result of the sheriffs taking possession of Tech’s firearms they noticed several items consistent with the manufacture of methamphetamine. A search warrant was obtained and several items from Tech’s residence were seized and tested positive for methamphetamine.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration; Pennsylvania State Police and the Bradford County Sheriff Department and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William Simmers.

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