The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Santiago Guerrero-Nova, age 31, formerly of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 17 months, the length of time he has been in prison since his arrest for distributing heroin in Hazleton, Pennsylvania on August 28, 2013. Guerrero-Nova, who was not legally in the United States at the time of the offense, now faces deportation proceedings to the Dominican Republic, his native country.

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Guerrero-Novo previously pleaded guilty to a criminal information charging him with heroin distribution. The charges were the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant United States Attorney John Gurganus prosecuted the case.