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The organization distributed hundreds of pounds of the drug for sale in Berks County, prosecutors say.
A former state Treasury employee who is a son of a four-time Reading mayoral candidate was sentenced Monday in Berks County Court to three to five years in state prison for his role in a major marijuana ring.
Michael Santarelli, 48, of the first block of David's Drive, Rockland Township, was sentenced by Judge Jeffrey K. Sprecher after pleading guilty to possessing and intending to deliver marijuana.
Santarelli also must serve five years of probation and pay a $15,000 fine.
Prosecutors said the ring distributed hundreds of pounds of marijuana for sale in Berks in the summer and fall of 2003.
Santarelli's father, John D. Santarelli of the 600 block of Tuckerton Road, Muhlenberg Township, is accused of being the ringleader. He is free awaiting further court action on similar charges.
John Santarelli ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 1971, 1975, 1979 and 1983. He is the former owner of the In-Town Motor Lodge, 1635 Centre Ave.
Michael Santarelli was charged in October 2003 after 34 pounds of marijuana were seized during raids at his home and another property he owned in Rockland Township, investigators said.
Assistant District Attorney Colleen Dugan said Michael Santarelli's role in the drug operation was to store the marijuana and package it for sale.
“We certainly believe full incarceration was necessary for Michael Santarelli,” Dugan said.
Also sentenced Monday was Michael D. Eagle, who lives at the other property Michael Santarelli owns in Rockland. The house is in the first block of Bick Road.
Eagle was sentenced to five years of probation after pleading guilty to possessing marijuana and illegally possessing two guns.
Among the other defendants in the case is Robert S. Bialek, who is a former chief city codes inspector.
Bialek of the 1700 block of Reservoir Road, Muhlenberg Township, is charged with possessing and intending to deliver marijuana. He is free awaiting further court action.
Newshawk: user - <A HREF="420 MAGAZINE ® - Medical Marijuana Publication & Social Networking">420 Magazine</A>
Source: WFMZ 69 News
Pubdate: 31 October 2006
Copyright: 2006 Reading Eagle Company
Contact: Kori Walter
Website: WFMZ 69 News
A former state Treasury employee who is a son of a four-time Reading mayoral candidate was sentenced Monday in Berks County Court to three to five years in state prison for his role in a major marijuana ring.
Michael Santarelli, 48, of the first block of David's Drive, Rockland Township, was sentenced by Judge Jeffrey K. Sprecher after pleading guilty to possessing and intending to deliver marijuana.
Santarelli also must serve five years of probation and pay a $15,000 fine.
Prosecutors said the ring distributed hundreds of pounds of marijuana for sale in Berks in the summer and fall of 2003.
Santarelli's father, John D. Santarelli of the 600 block of Tuckerton Road, Muhlenberg Township, is accused of being the ringleader. He is free awaiting further court action on similar charges.
John Santarelli ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 1971, 1975, 1979 and 1983. He is the former owner of the In-Town Motor Lodge, 1635 Centre Ave.
Michael Santarelli was charged in October 2003 after 34 pounds of marijuana were seized during raids at his home and another property he owned in Rockland Township, investigators said.
Assistant District Attorney Colleen Dugan said Michael Santarelli's role in the drug operation was to store the marijuana and package it for sale.
“We certainly believe full incarceration was necessary for Michael Santarelli,” Dugan said.
Also sentenced Monday was Michael D. Eagle, who lives at the other property Michael Santarelli owns in Rockland. The house is in the first block of Bick Road.
Eagle was sentenced to five years of probation after pleading guilty to possessing marijuana and illegally possessing two guns.
Among the other defendants in the case is Robert S. Bialek, who is a former chief city codes inspector.
Bialek of the 1700 block of Reservoir Road, Muhlenberg Township, is charged with possessing and intending to deliver marijuana. He is free awaiting further court action.
Newshawk: user - <A HREF="420 MAGAZINE ® - Medical Marijuana Publication & Social Networking">420 Magazine</A>
Source: WFMZ 69 News
Pubdate: 31 October 2006
Copyright: 2006 Reading Eagle Company
Contact: Kori Walter
Website: WFMZ 69 News
