Wilkes-Barre Man Found Guilty Of Drug Trafficking & Firearms Offenses
Monday, December 16, 2024, 12:55 P.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
SCRANTON, PA.- On Tuesday, December 10, 2024, a Federal Jury for the Middle District of Pennsylvania convicted Michael Jones, 44, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, on all counts of a federal indictment charging Jones with multiple federal narcotics and firearms offenses.
The jury, on Tuesday, found Jones guilty of Conspiracy to Distribute 40 Grams or More of Fentanyl; Possession with Intent to Distribute 40 Grams or More of Fentanyl; Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine; Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine; Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime; Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon; and Maintaining a Drug Involved Premise.
The jury returned the guilty verdicts following a six-and-a-half-day trial before the U.S. District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani.
According To The U.S. Attorney’s Office
According to U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam, on April 27, 2021, Jones was traveling from Philadelphia to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, when he was stopped by members of the Pennsylvania State Police. During the traffic stop, Pennsylvania State Troopers found drugs hidden inside a stereo speaker inside the trunk of Jones’ car.
Upon locating the narcotics in the vehicle, Detectives obtained and executed a court-authorized search warrant at a property under the control of Jones, commonly known as a “Stash House.” During the search, Detectives and investigators uncovered additional quantities of illicit narcotics, packaging materials consistent with drug distribution, a stolen firearm, and $20,000 in U.S. currency in denominations consistent with narcotics sales and distribution.
U.S. Attorney Karam commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Wilkes-Barre Police Department.
