A former Shenango Valley man will spend more than 7 years in federal prison for being part of a conspiracy to bring cocaine into Farrell.

Ramon T. Wright, 35, of Forest Park, Ohio, formerly of Farrell, Sharon and Slippery Rock, was sentenced Tuesday by U.S. District Court Judge Peter C. Economus, Youngstown, to 95 months in prison and fined $3,000 and a $100 special assessment.

Wright pleaded guilty Sept. 25 to charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and distribution of cocaine.

Wright also was sentenced to serve 4 years' supervised release, the federal equivalent of probation, after his release from prison.

"We're very satisfied with the sentence and feel it reflects the seriousness of his conduct," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip J. Tripi.

Tripi also asked for the dismissal of a charge of attempting to possess cocaine with intent to distribute, which Economus granted.

Wright asked that he serve his time at a federal prison in Ashland, Ky., so that he wouldn't be too far from his family. His mother and daughter live in Forest Park, a Cincinnati suburb.

"I will make that recommendation but, Mr. Wright, it is up to the Bureau of Prisons," Economus said.

While Wright denied having a drug problem, Tripi asked that Wright undergo drug treatment or counseling for other problems during his supervised release. Economus ordered that Wright participate in an outpatient program for drug use, and he will be subjected to random drug tests.

The conviction was Wright's second on major drug charges. He was paroled in May 2001 after being convicted in Los Angeles of transporting 12 kilograms of cocaine. He was arrested March 10, 1998.

Also charged in the case are Alex Martin, 39, of 809 Lee Ave., Farrell, and Roger Williams, 35, of Moreno, Calif.

Williams pleaded guilty Sept. 11 to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and distribution of cocaine. He was sentenced Friday by Economus to 105 months in prison, 5 years' supervised release, a $3,000 fine and $100 special assessment.

Martin's trial had been set for Dec. 30, but a spokeswoman for Economus said that date will be changed.

Martin was charged with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, aiding and abetting and possession of cocaine with intent to deliver.

Martin has signed a pre-plea agreement allowing the Federal Probation Department to conduct a pre-sentencing investigation. The results of the investigation will help him in plea negotiations, according to court documents.

Williams was a passenger in a sport-utility vehicle stopped by Kansas state troopers April 10, according to the Drug Enforcement Agency.

A search of the SUV turned up nearly 10 kilograms -- about 21è pounds -- of cocaine. Williams said he had come from California and was taking the cocaine to Farrell for Martin, DEA said.

Williams agreed to proceed to the Youngstown area, where he was to contact Martin about how to dispose of the SUV. He was accompanied by four investigators.

Arriving in Youngstown, Williams called Martin, who was in California, and Martin told him to park the SUV in Martin's garage at 809 Lee.

At the direction of investigators, Williams called back later and said he had hit a deer, disabling the SUV. The story was only half a lie as the SUV had hit a deer in Missouri, causing some damage.

Martin contacted Wright, who was in Boardman, Ohio, and asked him to arrange for a tow truck to pick up the SUV, and then lead it to Martin's garage.

Wright was arrested in Boardman when he arrived at the motel Williams had said he was staying at.

Wright also cooperated with investigators, and the SUV was towed to Farrell. Martin's home was searched three days later.

Martin, who has an Ohio driver's license under the name Terry Hunter, was arrested April 13 as he got off an airplane at Cleveland-Hopkins Airport.

You can e-mail Herald Staff Writer Joe Pinchot at

jpinchot@sharonherald.com