A St. Marys man who had been charged with drug delivery resulting in death in connection with the 2018 overdose death of a Clarion man entered a guilty plea to a lesser charge Wednesday in Clarion County Court.
Joseph Edward Hoffman pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy-manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver.
He is accused of being part of a drug ring that developed a network to bring fentanyl and heroin into northwest Pennsylvania.
Others arrested in connection with the drug ring and the November 2018 death of William Stout at his Clarion apartment were Aaron Johnson, Spencer Rudolph, William A. Fourness, Kasey M. Fourness and Ryan Gleixner.
Authorities said Stout died of fentanyl toxicity.
Johnson and Rudolph were convicted in August of drug delivery resulting in death and other charges. They were both sentenced to state prison terms.
Gleixner entered a guilty plea to a charge of manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver. Kelly M. Fourness is scheduled for a jury trial.