A Johnstown, Pennsylvania resident has pleaded guilty in federal court to multiple narcotics trafficking charges. The announcement was made by First Assistant United States Attorney Troy Rivetti.
Jonathan Brunson, 54, entered his plea before United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan on November 4, 2025. He pleaded guilty to four counts of the Superseding Indictment related to drug distribution and possession.
According to information presented in court, between April 2019 and July 2021, Brunson conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute significant amounts of methamphetamine, crack cocaine, fentanyl mixtures, heroin, and cocaine within the Western District of Pennsylvania. In June 2021, he possessed fentanyl with intent to distribute it. In April 2021, he also possessed more than 500 grams of methamphetamine for distribution purposes. Authorities intercepted Brunson through a federal wiretap as he obtained drugs that were then distributed to others.
Judge Horan set sentencing for March 11, 2026. The statutory maximum penalty is at least ten years up to life in prison and a fine up to $10 million. The actual sentence will depend on the severity of the offenses and Brunson’s criminal history.
Assistant United States Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon is prosecuting the case.
The investigation involved several agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Laurel Highlands Resident Agency and Homeland Security Investigations. Other participating agencies included the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Internal Revenue Service–Criminal Investigation; United States Postal Inspection Service; Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General; Pennsylvania State Police; Cambria County District Attorney’s Office; Indiana County District Attorney’s Office; Cambria County Sheriff’s Office; Cambria Township Police Department; Indiana Borough Police Department; Johnstown Police Department; Upper Yoder Township Police Department; Richland Police Department; Ferndale Police Department as well as other local law enforcement agencies.
