August 14, 2014

Philadelphia Man Pleads Guilty to Heroin Trafficking Conspiracy

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a 34-year-old Philadelphia man pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion to participating in a conspiracy to distribute heroin in the Hazleton area of Pennsylvania.

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the defendant, Edwin Laureano-Suarez, admitted to conspiring with others to distribute heroin between May 2014 and June 18, 2014. Laureano-Suarez was charged in a criminal Information filed on August 12, 2014, as a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Scranton Police.

Judge Mannion ordered a pre-sentence investigation to be completed. Sentencing will be scheduled after the completion of the pre-sentence report.

Laureano-Suarez faces up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa.