A Warren County man convicted of running a cocaine trafficking ring from his Pittsfield Township home received his sentence Friday from District Judge Gregory Hammond in Warren County Court.
Joseph Richard Cieslak Sr., 54, of 10345 Route 27, Pittsfield was ordered to serve 5 to 10 years in a state correctional facility on charges of possession with intent to deliver cocaine, corrupt organizations and conspiracy to deliver cocaine.
Cieslak pled guilty to the charges on Aug. 16 in an agreement that included a reduced sentence and the removal of 13 related charges.
Charges stem from a grand jury investigation into a network of cocaine dealers throughout northwestern Pennsylvania including portions of Erie, Warren and Crawford Counties.
The investigation found Cieslak sold nearly five ounces of cocaine over five incidents in July and Aug. of 2011. A subsequent search of his home resulted in seizure of nearly a kilogram of cocaine and over $8,000 cash.
The investigation found Cieslak sold cocaine to both users and dealers including Timothy Soliwoda, 42, and Thomas Lindstrom, 56, both of Spartansburg. Soliwoda and Lindstrom purchased quantities sufficient for resale. The two are also facing charges related to the investigation.
On the charge of conspiracy to deliver, Cieslak was sentenced to serve between 60 and 120 months in a state correctional facility.
On the charge of corrupt organizations, Cieslak was sentenced to serve between 18 and 36 months in a state correctional facility.
On the charge of possession with intent to deliver, Cieslak was sentenced to serve between 60 and 120 months in a state correctional facility.
All sentences were ordered to run concurrently.
Cieslak was also sentenced to a one year suspension of his driving privileges and to pay $26,600 in fines, costs and restitution. He must also submit to DNA testing.