Hazleton Man Charged With Heroin Trafficking Offense

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that a criminal information was filed in U.S. District Court in Scranton charging Adam Castro, age 28, of Hazleton, with possession with intent to distribute heroin in Hazleton between September 2014 and January 2015. 

According to U.S. Attorney Peter Smith, the case arose after investigators made purchases of heroin from Castro.  On January 21, 2015, investigators obtained a search warrant for a residence on West Elm Street in Hazleton, where Castro was staying. As a result of the search, investigators seized approximately 1,050 bags of heroin, drug packaging materials and United States currency.

The government also filed a plea agreement in the case, which is subject to approval by the court.

The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Hazleton Police Department and the Pennsylvania State Police.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara.

Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations.  All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

A sentence following a finding of guilty is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

In this case, the maximum penalty under the federal statute is imprisonment for 20 years, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.  Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public, and provide for the defendant’s educational, vocational and medical needs.  For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.