Area man pleads guilty to role in cocaine ring

By Patrick Varine

A Donora man, one of nearly 40 people indicted as part of the Lightfoot/Mendoza drug-trafficking organization this past spring, has pleaded guilty to distributing cocaine, U.S. Attorney Scott Brady announced Tuesday.

Michael Tirpak, 33, of Donora pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute, and to cocaine distribution, stemming from his days as a mid-level distributor in the organization, according to U.S. Justice Department officials.

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