Monroe County Couple Charged With Selling Fentanyl That Killed Three

Saturday, December 28, 2024, 5:30 P.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

SCRANTON, PA.- On Friday, December 27, 2024, U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam reported that a Federal Grand Jury for the Middle District of Pennsylvania returned an indictment, charging James P. Cullen V., 30, and Michelle L. Ferranti, 31, both of Bartonsville, Pennsylvania on multiple counts of fentanyl and heroin trafficking, and distribution of heroin resulting in three fatal overdoses.

     The charging information unsealed in the indictment alleges that Cullen and Ferranti conspired with one another to distribute fentanyl and heroin beginning in April 2021 and lasting through February 2023. Cullen and Ferranti are both federally charged with distributing over 400 grams of fentanyl, which is the equivalent of right around 16,000 potentially deadly doses of fentanyl.

     The indictment further alleges that Cullen and Ferranti obtained fentanyl and heroin from other co-conspirators located in New Jersey, marketed the fentanyl and heroin on the Darkweb, and then used fabricated names to distribute the narcotics.

     During that time, Cullen and Ferranti allegedly mailed fentanyl and heroin to just about every state in the United States and several foreign countries. As a result, it is alleged that three different individuals located in Vermont, Georgia, and Alaska overdosed and died from the fentanyl mailed by Cullen and Ferranti between October 2022 and February 2023. The individual in Alaska was a juvenile.

     In addition, Cullen and Ferranti are charged with distributing fentanyl and heroin on four other occasions between November 2022 and February 2023. The indictment remained sealed until Cullen and Ferranti were formally taken into custody. Both Cullen and Ferranti will remain in federal custody pending trial.