Leader of Violent Drug Trafficking Gang from North Philadelphia Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison

PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney William M. McSwain announced today that Juan Jarmon, 32, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to thirty years’ imprisonment and six years’ supervised release by United States District Judge Paul S. Diamond for crimes committed while he was the leader of a violent drug trafficking group operating out of the Norman Blumberg Apartments public housing facility in North Philadelphia.

Following a jury trial in March 2019, the defendant was convicted on 23 counts, including conspiracy to distribute 280 grams or more of crack cocaine and distribution of crack cocaine within 1,000 feet of public housing (a drug-free zone). Jarmon controlled drug sales in various areas of the Blumberg Apartments in 2013 and 2014. Throughout the period that the drug trafficking conspiracy operated, Jarmon and other members of his gang were responsible for distributing thousands of grams of crack cocaine throughout this community.

Jarmon’s group obtained bulk crack and cocaine; cooked and packaged crack cocaine into bundles; hired, fired, and supervised shift sellers and lookouts; levied taxes on members and customers; and provided protection from other drug trafficking groups. The shift sellers were the daily workers employed by the leaders to sell crack cocaine in the locations controlled by the group, while the lookouts assisted other members of the group by alerting them to the presence of law enforcement and directing customers to the shift sellers. In order to ensure around-the-clock sales of crack cocaine, Jarmon threatened rivals who disrupted his drug trafficking business, and physically assaulted shift sellers. In one instance, the defendant violently attacked a female drug dealer in order to obtain drug proceeds, cracking her head against a table, requiring hospitalization.

“To anyone engaged in drug trafficking and violence, I say this: find another line of work. Because if you don’t, you will face federal prosecution and considerable jail time for your efforts,” said U.S. Attorney McSwain.  “Here, Jarmon and his co-defendants used firearms, robbed rival drug dealers, and used intimidation, threats, and violence to further their ‘business’ of moving poison on our streets. Philadelphia residents can rest easier knowing that Jarmon is behind bars and his drug gang has been destroyed.”

“We are privileged to have collaborated with our law enforcement partners in the investigation, arrest, and successful prosecution of Juan Jarmon,” said Acting Philadelphia Police Commissioner Christine Coulter. “With his conviction and attendant sentencing, this violent recidivist offender will be unable to continue inflicting harm upon the residents of the Blumberg Apartments and the surrounding community.”

“Jarmon coordinated a vast network of drug dealers selling crack cocaine 24 hours a day in the former Norman Blumberg Apartment Complex.  Jarmon was responsible for the distribution of thousands of grams of crack cocaine throughout his community, and used violence and intimidation to further his drug trafficking activities,” said Jonathan A. Wilson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Philadelphia Field Division. “For the drug-traffickers like Jarmon that prey on the most vulnerable members of our society, the federal criminal penalties are severe.” 

“For years, Juan Jarmon and his drug crew used intimidation and violence to maintain control of the Blumberg Apartments complex and surrounding area,” said Michael T. Harpster, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners are determined to help free our communities from the stranglehold of narcotics traffickers. The city of Philadelphia is safer with Jarmon behind bars.”

This case was investigated by the United States Attorney’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Drug Enforcement Administration in collaboration with the Philadelphia Police Department and Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jerome Maiatico and Yvonne Osirim.