Pennsylvania man admits selling cocaine

A Pennsylvania man admitted in federal court to selling cocaine in St. Lawrence County.

Kassan D. Crutchfield, 20, Philadelphia, Pa., pleaded guilty last week in U.S. District Court, Syracuse, before Judge Glenn T. Suddaby to possession with intent to distribute more than 5 grams of cocaine, court records show. He could receive five to 40 years in prison when sentenced July 9.

According to court records, St. Lawrence County Drug Task Force members found drugs during a Jan. 21 search at Kristina L. Petrie's home at 2399 County Route 6 in Hammond. Authorities found 13 grams of cocaine in the home and cash that was used by a confidential informant earlier to buy a half-gram of cocaine from Heather L. Lafave, 37, Hammond.

Mr. Crutchfield told authorities he had made two trips from Watertown to Ms. Petrie's home to sell cocaine. He provided Ms. Petrie, through Ms. Lafave, with a gram of cocaine each time to stay at her home to sell cocaine. Ms. Lafave had been staying with Ms. Petrie for some time.

Ms. Lafave, who admitted to federal agents that she is a crack addict, was described as "the chief recruiter for couriers, drivers and facilitators" for cocaine sales in Ogdensburg. Ms. Petrie also allowed several dealers to use her home for selling drugs.