Sheena Delazio
sdelazio@timesleader.com
Ronald Molnar withdrew guilty plea to charges related to $3.5 million cocaine ring.
WILKES-BARRE – A city man who investigators say arranged for the sale and purchase of cocaine in a $3.5 million distribution ring told a judge on Friday he wanted to withdraw his guilty plea.
Ronald Molnar, 40, of Joseph Lane, appeared before Luzerne County Judge David Lupas for a scheduled sentencing hearing on charges of corrupt organization, criminal conspiracy, possession with intent to deliver cocaine, three counts of delivery of cocaine and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.Lupas said a hearing will be held March 7 for attorneys to argue Molnar’s request and Lupas to issue a ruling.
Molnar’s attorney, Nanda Palissery, said his client was unhappy with sentencing guidelines used.
Deputy Attorney General Tim Doherty said he would object to Molnar’s request because several other members arrested in the ring have already pleaded guilty and have been sentenced.
Prosecutors say Molnar participated in the drug ring operated by members of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club, which distributed cocaine throughout the area beginning in July 2008.
Doherty has previously said Molnar made hundreds of calls from his house and cell phone about the purchase and delivery of cocaine.
More than a dozen Outlaws members were charged with distributing hundreds of packages of cocaine.
Doherty also said Molnar sold cocaine to a police informant on a number of occasions.
Other members of the motorcycle club have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing in Luzerne County Court, including Kenneth Koonrad, of Wilkes-Barre, who is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb 29, and Joseph Janick, of Ashley, on March 19.
Fifteen others have pleaded guilty and have been sentenced.
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