Sheena Delazio
timesleader.com
A Wapwallopen woman was sentenced Wednesday to 23 months in the county’s Intermediate Punishment Program for her role in a $3.6 million cocaine distribution ring.
Michelle Ulitchney, 50, was sentenced on three related charges to which she pleaded guilty in March 2010.She was sentenced by Luzerne County Judge Thomas Burke, who said the first 11 1/2 months of Ulitchney’s sentence will be served on house arrest with the remaining on probation.
Prosecutors say Ulitchney played a part in the ring that began in July 2008.
The ring was busted in March 2009 when undercover agents raided a clubhouse and a member’s home, as well as four other locations.
Police said Ulitchney and several other people were members of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club and that thousands of calls were intercepted and controlled cocaine purchases were made.
Ulitchney’s attorney, Demetrius Fannick, said Wednesday his client has taken responsibility for her actions and played a “limited” part in the actual offenses, including making phone calls.
Deputy Attorney General Tim Doherty said Ulitchney has cooperated from the beginning and that he was not seeking jail time for Ulitchney.
John Ricci, 38, of Hanover Township, was also scheduled to be sentenced Wednesday for his role in the ring, but his sentencing was continued to Dec. 9.
Four members have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing in Luzerne County Court, including Kenneth Koonrad, of Wilkes-Barre, who is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 20.
Most recently, Anthony Manchio, 51, of Wapwallopen, who investigators say was the main cocaine supplier, was sentenced last month to five to 10 years in state prison on 13 related charges he pleaded guilty to in April.
Thirteen others have pleaded guilty and have been sentenced, including: Michael Scavone, of Harveys Lake; John Gonda, of White Haven; Francis Buraczewski, of Wilkes-Barre; John Macking, of Hanover Township; Michelle Adams, of Harveys Lake; Paul Czerniakowski, of Wilkes-Barre; Patrick Brown, of Dallas; Mitchell Miller, of Wilkes-Barre; Larry Gwynn, of Hanover Township; Lazaro Salavarria, of Wilkes-Barre; Joseph Janick, of Ashley; Michael Brostoski, of Wilkes-Barre; Michael Bafile, of Berwick.
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