Luzerne County Man Sentenced To Prison For Drug Delivery Resulting In Death

     The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a West Pittston man was sentenced yesterday in Scranton by U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion to 135 months in federal prison for his role in a drug distribution conspiracy.

     According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Todd Morgans, age 35, pled guilty to conspiring with others between December 2012 and July 2013 to distribute alpha-pyrrolidinopentiophenone (A-PVP), an analogue of methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV).  A-PVP is a synthetic cathinone which is included in a family of abused drugs commonly known as “bath salts.”

     "HSI will use all resources at its disposal to prevent the importation and distribution of dangerous chemical substances that cause harm to our local communities.  Yesterday's sentencing represents the effort of law enforcement agencies working together to make our neighborhoods safer” said U.S. Immigration and Customs (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Philadelphia Special Agent in Charge John Kelleghan.

     A controlled substance analogue is a drug which has not been scheduled under The Controlled Substances Act but has a similar chemical structure and a similar stimulant or hallucinogenic effect on a person’s central nervous system.  Such controlled substance analogues are treated as if the substance were the scheduled drug for prosecution and sentencing purposes. 

     The U.S. Attorney’s Office noted that the sentence included an enhancement applicable when the death or serious bodily injury of another results from the use of the controlled substance.  While the investigation surrounding the death of Jason Folweiler remains ongoing, Morgans, in his plea agreement with the government, publicly acknowledged that he delivered drugs to Folweiler and apologized to his family.

     Morgans also forfeited an automobile, the contents of his bank account, $40,000 in currency seized from his home and a silver bar. 

     This investigation was conducted by the U.S. Immigration and Customs (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Pennsylvania State Police and the West Pittston Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Amy C. Phillips.