The Pittsfield man accused of coordinating the sale of large quantities of cocaine waived an arraignment hearing scheduled for Thursday, but one of the two other men allegedly involved entered not guilty pleas to all the charges he faces.
During Warren County arraignment court proceedings Thursday before Judge Maureen Skerda, Thomas A. Lindstrom Sr., 56, of Spartansburg pleaded not guilty to seven counts of delivery of cocaine, seven counts of possession of cocaine, and one count each of criminal conspiracy to deliver cocaine, criminal use of a communication facility, racketeering, and conspiracy to commit racketeering related to alleged events between April 12, 2011, and June 16, 2011, in Crawford and Warren counties.
Skerda listed the statutory maximum sentence for each of the charges Lindstrom faces - a total of 172 years in prison and a fine of $2,785,000.
Joseph Richard Cieslak, 54, of 10345 Route 27, Pittsfield, and Timothy Soliwoda, 42, of Spartansburg waived hearings on similar and related charges.
According to Skerda, Lindstrom is accused of selling cocaine on June 9 and 16, 2011, in Columbus Township, and on April 12, 20, and 28, and May 11, and 25, 2011, in Sparta Township, Crawford County.
Lindstrom and Soliwoda allegedly bought cocaine from Cieslak and subsequently sold it to other buyers.
A search of Cieslak's home on Aug. 8, 2011, allegedly yielded almost one kilogram of cocaine and more than $8,000 in cash.
During the hearing, Lindstrom initially appeared without an attorney. After telling Skerda he could no longer afford the services of his previous attorney, it was determined that he will be represented by Public Defender John Parroccini.
District Attorney Ross McKeirnan represented the Commonwealth in the absence of the prosecuting attorney from the Attorney General's office.