NEW YORK MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO DRUG CHARGE IN U.S. DISTRICT COURT

David L. Huber, United States Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky, announced October 17, 2005 that Craig David Branch, age 35, of Syracuse, New York, pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

The maximum potential penalties are 40 years imprisonment, a $2,000,000 fine, and supervised release for a period of no less than 4 years.  Branch faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years imprisonment.

Branch admitted that on March 5, 2003, in Oldham County, Kentucky, he knowingly and intentionally possessed with the intent to distribute approximately 998 grams of cocaine.  The approximate street value of the cocaine Branch possessed ranged from $79,840 to $99,800.  The cocaine was discovered by Oldham County Police after Branch had been stopped for traffic violations. 

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Amy M. Sullivan and was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Oldham County Police Department.

The plea was entered before John G. Heyburn, Chief Judge, United State District Court, Louisville, Kentucky.

Branch is scheduled to be sentenced before Chief Judge John G. Heyburn on January 9, 2006 at 12:00 PM in Louisville, Kentucky.