West Hazleton man pleads guilty to federal drug trafficking charges
SCRANTON – A West Hazleton man has pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking charges, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced Friday.
Yerigardy Tejeda-Zoquier, 23, of West Hazleton, pleaded guilty Thursday to charges of possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of crystal methamphetamine.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Tejeda-Zoquier admitted to possessing between 500 grams and 1.5 kilograms of highly pure crystal methamphetamine for further distribution in the Luzerne County and Carbon County areas in 2021.
Investigators purchased crystal methamphetamine from Tejeda-Zoquier on multiple occasions between January and March 2021 in both Luzerne and Carbon Counties, and then seized additional crystal methamphetamine from two vehicles utilized by Tejeda-Zoquier.
Under federal law, the defendant faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in prison, up to a maximum sentence of life in prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. 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.
About Author
