Pike County Man Pleads Guilty To Possession Of Fentanyl At The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Stephen M. Smith, age 42, of Bushkill, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty on February 3, 2023, before United States Magistrate Judge Joseph F. Saporito, Jr., to possessing fentanyl while at the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Smith was stopped in his vehicle on August 29, 2022, by Park Rangers at the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, and was found in possession of packets of fentanyl, multiple syringes, glass smoking pipes containing drug residue, and other items of drug paraphernalia.  It is a federal crime to possess illegal controlled substances on federal property.

The case was investigated by Park Rangers from the National Park Service.  Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara is prosecuting the case.

Under federal law, the maximum penalty for possession of controlled substances on federal property is up to one year in prison and a minimum fine of $1000 and a maximum fine of $100,000.  A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

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