Jose Manuel Pagan, a Penn State student charged with cocaine possession and intent to deliver, waived his right to a preliminary hearing yesterday at the Centre County Courthouse in Bellefonte.

Centre County Drug Task Force (CCDTF) agents arrested Pagan in May at his residence on the 900 block of Walnut Street for allegedly having almost 5 ounces of cocaine in his possession, according to court documents.

Pagan is charged with possession with intent to deliver and criminal use of a communication facility for using a telephone when allegedly setting up a drug deal.

Merrill said the mandatory sentence carries at least eight years, but Pagan's case may change.

Pagan was released on $10,000 unsecured bail. Jury selection begins Feb. 9.

The investigation began in January after a confidential informant told the CCDTF he or she had allegedly purchased cocaine from Pagan in the past.

On the day of the arrest, an undercover CCDTF agent, who had never before met or seen Pagan, called his cell phone to arrange a quarter pound purchase of cocaine, police said.

The agreement to provide that large amount surprised agents, said Scott Merrill, CCDTF coordinator.

"It was not clear to us that he was involved with that large of quantity, we had been dealing with him in ounces," Merrill said.

According to court documents, in addition to 108- and 28-gram bags of cocaine, agents found several documents with individuals' names believed to be customers of Pagan.

The documents included dollar amounts detailing purchases and customer debts.

The CCDTF had coordinated two previous cocaine purchases between the informant and Pagan, according to court documents.

The informant bought a quarter of an ounce for $270 in late January, and a $1,200 ounce of in mid-February.