Erie judge sends message to no-snitching crowd

ERIE, Pa. (AP) — An Erie County judge has sent a message to people who abide by a “no-snitching” policy when it comes to drug dealing and other crimes.

Judge John Garhart on Tuesday sentenced LaChrissa Parker to 18 months to 3 years 9 months in prison for running a small marijuana operation out of her Erie home.

Authorities say Parker initially agreed to cooperate with them against others in exchange for a lesser sentence. But they say she backed out and wound up threatening a witness who had alerted police to her crimes.

Garhart says he hopes the sentence sends a message to those who abide by the “no-snitching” code.

The judge says he thinks “the soul of the community is up in the air. I intend to send a message.”