Luzerne County Man Indicted On Drug Trafficking And Firearms Charges

SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Christopher Essameddin Birry, age 41, of Hanover Township, Pennsylvania, was indicted on November 14, 2023, by a federal grand jury on drug trafficking and firearms charges. 

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that between May 31, 2023, and July 27, 2023, Birry distributed methamphetamine on multiple occasions in Luzerne County. The indictment further alleges that on September 11, 2023, Birry possessed with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possessed a handgun during and in relation to drug trafficking when he was a person prohibited from possessing a firearm.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Luzerne County Drug Task Force, and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenny P. Roberts is prosecuting the case.

This case is 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.

The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is life 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.

Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

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