A Warren County man was among three charged last week with dealing cocaine in northwestern Pennsylvania.
The Pennsylvania Attorney General's Bureau of Narcotics Investigation announced that Joseph Richard Cieslak Sr., 54, of 10345 Route 27, Pittsfield; Timothy Soliwoda, 42, of Spartansburg; and Thomas A. Lindstrom Sr., 56, also of Spartansburg, were charged after "an extensive grand jury investigation focusing on drug trafficking in and around Erie, Warren and Crawford counties," Attorney General Linda Kelly said.
Cieslak is charged with participating in a corrupt organization, conspiracy to participate in a corrupt organization, seven counts of delivery of cocaine, six counts of possession of cocaine, and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.
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Cieslak
He was taken to the Warren County Jail and later released after posting $100,000 bail.
Soliwoda is charged with three counts of delivery of cocaine, three counts of possession of cocaine, one count of conspiracy to deliver cocaine, and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.
Lindstrom is charged with seven counts of delivery of cocaine, one count of possession of cocaine, one count of conspiracy to deliver cocaine, and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.
Soliwoda and Lindstrom were also released on $100,000 bail.
Agents said all three defendants surrendered on Thursday, May 3. They were arraigned before District Justice Laura Bauer.
According to a release from the attorney general's office, Cieslak coordinated the sale of large quantities of cocaine to drug dealers and users throughout the region, according to the charges. Soliwoda and Lindstrom bought cocaine from Cieslak and, in turn, sold to other uses.
Agents made several buys from the three defendants over the course of the investigation, ranging in price from $200 to $1,500, according to the release. Those purchases and other meetings happened in the homes of Cieslak and Lindstrom, and in parking lots and other locations in Columbus Township, and Erie, Harborcreek Township, and Union City.
An August 2011 search of Cieslak's home resulted in the seizure of about one kilogram of cocaine - "one of the largest drug seizures in Warren County" - more than $8,000 in cash, and real estate and vehicles.
The attorney general's office will prosecute the defendants' cases in Warren County. A preliminary hearing has been set for June 4.
The Warren County District Attorney's office, Warren County Sheriff's office, Warren County drug task force, Youngsville Police Department, Erie County District Attorney's office, Edinboro Police Department, Girard Police Department, Corry Police Department, and Vernon Township Police Department cooperated and assisted with the investigation.