Turtle Creek man sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for narcotics trafficking

A Turtle Creek man has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after being convicted of narcotics trafficking.

Jerry Coker, 30, of Turtle Creek was sentenced to 10 years in imprisonment and eight years supervised release, according to an announcement Tuesday from Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman.

According to information presented to the court at the time Coker pleaded guilty,Pittsburgh police observed Coker’s sister and co-defendant Marleka Robinson obtaining a large quantity of fentanyl from a distributor in Knoxville at Coker’s request in September 2016. Robinson brought the drugs to the home she shared with Coker and their sister, Monique Robinson, who is another co-defendant.

A search of the Coker residence led to the seizure of more than 10 ounces of fentanyl, along with small quantities of heroin, cocaine and marijuana. Police also discovered drug packaging, scales and distributing materials throughout the house, along with two Smith & Wesson pistols and $8,900 in cash.

Before U.S. District Judge Cathy Bissoon imposed the sentence, she noted that, given Coker’s prior felony drug trafficking conviction, the law required her to impose a sentence of 10 years in prison.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Carolyn J. Block prosecuted the case.

Kaufman commended the federal Drug Enforcement Administration and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police for their investigation.