Bethzaida Batista, a 52-year-old resident of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced to 28 months in prison for her role in a drug trafficking conspiracy. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani in Scranton. Batista had previously admitted to conspiring to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl from January 2020 until June 2023 within Luzerne County.
Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus stated that Batista pled guilty to the charges of distributing and possessing with intent to distribute controlled substances during this period.
The investigation was carried out by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General. Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Olshefski prosecuted the case.
This prosecution is part of a broader initiative led by the United States Attorney’s Office aimed at tackling heroin distribution in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. The Heroin Initiative seeks to apprehend and prosecute those involved in heroin-related offenses through cooperation between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.
Additionally, this case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence through collaboration among law enforcement agencies and community organizations. The Department launched an enhanced violent crime reduction strategy for PSN on May 26, 2021.