Heroin Dealer Sentenced to 102 Months' Imprisonment

Martin C. Carlson, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, announced today that United States District Judge Thomas I. Vanaskie sentenced Victor Garcia, age 31, formerly of Queens, New York, to 102 months’ imprisonment for his involvement in the sale of heroin in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania.

On February 26, 2008, Garcia pleaded guilty to the charge of conspiracy to distribute more than one kilogram of heroin. The conviction followed an investigation by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. During the course of the investigation, law enforcement agents intercepted numerous drug-related conversations on a wiretap which revealed that Garcia was acted as a heroin supplier for a drug ring operating in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The wiretap revealed that Garcia obtained thousands of bags of heroin from his New York City supplier and then either transported the drugs to Scranton, Pennsylvania, or provided the drugs to a Scranton courier for delivery.

In sentencing Garcia, Judge Vanaskie emphasized that Garcia’s crime was particularly egregious in light the highly addictive drug being distributed and the large quantity of heroin that Garcia sold during the conspiracy. Judge Vanaskie noted that the lengthy prison term was necessary to reflect the seriousness of the crime and the damage that Garcia’s illegal activity caused to society.

United States Attorney Carlson noted that parole has been abolished, and Garcia will be required to serve at least 85% of his 102-month sentence, assuming he receives full time off for good behavior while incarcerated.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys John Gurganus and Robert O’Hara.

****