SCRANTON, PA — Jose Miguel Peralta, Jr., a 35-year-old resident of Shenandoah, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury for his alleged involvement in fentanyl trafficking in Luzerne County.
United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam announced that the indictment charges Peralta with one count of conspiracy to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl, four counts of distribution of fentanyl, and one count of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
The charges against Peralta are the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), in collaboration with the Luzerne County Drug Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara.
If found guilty, Peralta could face severe penalties under federal law. For the fentanyl trafficking charges alone, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in prison, a maximum sentence of life in prison, a term of supervised release, and a fine. The firearms charge carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, a term of supervised release, and a fine. Any sentence following a finding of guilt will be imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
It is important to remember that indictments and criminal informations are mere allegations. All persons charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Further updates on this case will be provided as they become available.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.