Anthony Jordan Vega, a 29-year-old resident of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced to 188 months in prison for his involvement in a drug distribution conspiracy. The sentence was handed down by United States District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani on February 4, 2025. Following his imprisonment, Vega will also undergo five years of supervised release.
Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus stated that Vega was part of a conspiracy distributing fentanyl and other controlled substances across Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties from January 2022 until his arrest on April 20, 2023. The investigation revealed that Vega led a network of traffickers who used co-conspirators to manage drug orders and distributions. Undercover purchases from Vega and others were conducted between February and March 2023, leading to his arrest.
At the time of arrest, Vega attempted to obstruct justice by instructing the concealment of around 5,000 bags of fentanyl and other contraband at a stash house in Hazleton. This attempt at obstruction and his managerial role were considered during sentencing.
Vega was indicted by a grand jury in Scranton on April 18, 2023, alongside Alex Hernandez, another member of the conspiracy from Hazleton. On July 19, 2024, Vega pleaded guilty to charges related to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine. Hernandez had previously received a ten-year prison sentence for his involvement.
The case resulted from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Safe Streets Task Force in Scranton and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Olshefski prosecuted the case.
This prosecution is part of an initiative targeting heroin traffickers as part of efforts against the nationwide epidemic involving heroin and fentanyl use and distribution. The Heroin Initiative is coordinated among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies within the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
Additionally, this case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce violent crime through collaboration between law enforcement agencies at all levels with community organizations.