WILLIAMSPORT — A Shamokin man who was one of more than 20 involved in a regional drug organization has been placed on probation with a warning if he violates it he will go to jail.

U.S. Middle District Judge John E. Jones III issued the warning Tuesday after he placed Robert Lee Knoeppel, 33, on three years’ probation. The judge noted Knoeppel was a minor player in the organization, has his own business and appears to have cleaned up his addiction.

Knoeppel was charged with 22 others with participating in a drug ring in Columbia, Montour, Northumberland and Snyder counties between January 2004 and 2006.

He pleaded guilty in March 2008 to a charge of use of a communication device to facilitate the distribution of 100 to 200 grams of cocaine.

As part of his plea, he agreed to forfeit any interest he had in items seized during the investigation, which include a Milton property, a car, motorcycle, more than $110,000 in cash and a number of weapons.

The forfeiture clause also was contained in plea agreements with the other defendants.

The government alleged participants would travel to New York and Connecticut to obtain cocaine, heroin and marijuana, which was distributed through a network of sellers and users in central Pennsylvania.

One of the reputed leaders of the organization, Danny Fuentes, of Scranton, is serving a 12-year prison term imposed in federal court.