Texas man guilty in Pa. drug ring that included former coach

PITTSBURGH (AP) — A Texas trucker has become the fourth and final person convicted in a cocaine pipeline that also included a former assistant western Pennsylvania high school football coach.

A federal jury in Pittsburgh on Tuesday convicted 46-year-old Gathon Dudley Shannon, of Houston.

Dudley was arrested when authorities seized more than 35 pounds of cocaine and $669,000 from his vehicle in October 2011. He'll be sentenced April 22.

His arrest led to charges against three other men who have previously been convicted in the ring, including 36-year-old Carlos Cleckley, who formerly coached at Beaver Falls High School.

Adrian Taylor, 36, of Beaver Falls, and the alleged supplier, 39-year-old Vincent D. Middlebrooks, of Houston, have also already pleaded guilty.

WPXI