Jury Convicts “Biggest Pill Dealer In Chambersburg” For Causing Overdose Death

HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a federal jury convicted two Chambersburg men for their roles in a drug trafficking ring that distributed fentanyl, oxycodone, and cocaine. A delivery of fentanyl killed one of the customers and sickened others.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the jury convicted Bruce David Darby, age 45, of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, of drug trafficking, firearms, and money laundering charges. Darby was also convicted of delivering pills that killed one of his customers in August of 2019.  The jury also convicted Malik Bonds, age 42, of Chambersburg, of being a part of Darby’s conspiracy and with delivering cocaine.  U.S. District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner presided over the trial.    

The jury heard evidence of the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General’s investigation of Darby and his drug trafficking crew. Darby brought oxycodone pills from New York City and resold them in the Chambersburg area from 2018 to 2019. The jury heard evidence that police monitored Darby’s telephone calls, during which Darby described himself as “the biggest pill dealer in Chambersburg.”

“These two defendants prioritized monetary profits over the lives of everyone they distributed to,” Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry said. “The jury was told about a loss of life and a serious injury directly caused by this trafficking operation, but we may never know the full scope of devastation caused by these predatory dealers. The collaborative work of law enforcement was essential to stop the flow of deadly substances that put this community at grave risk.”

“The FBI remains committed to keeping our communities safe from predators like Bruce David Darby and Malik Bonds,” said Wayne A. Jacobs, FBI Philadelphia's Special Agent in Charge.  Darby’s actions and that of his co-conspirator are particularly heinous given that they trafficked in dangerous narcotics and lethal fentanyl.  Today’s conviction sends the message to drug organizations and gang members that if you traffic in illegal drugs, the FBI, along with our law enforcement partners, will bring you to justice."

The case was investigated by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Franklin County Drug Task Force, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Smulktis and Assistant United States Attorney Michael Consiglio are prosecuting the case.

This case was brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of opioids.  Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin and fentanyl traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.

This case is also part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

As a result of his conviction, Darby faces a mandatory sentence of at least 25 years in prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.  Bonds faces a maximum of 40 years’ imprisonment, 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.

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