SCRANTON — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle), published as received.

SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Rasjon Walters, age 27, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty on February 21, 2023, before U.S District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani, to one count of fentanyl distribution and one count of carrying a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Walters admitted to distributing fentanyl in the Luzerne County area between June 2021 and December 2021.  He also admitted to using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. The charges stem from an investigation in which investigators made multiple purchases of fentanyl and a firearm from Walters.  Investigators then obtained a search warrant for Walters’ residence in Wilkes-Barre and seized additional amounts of fentanyl, packaging materials, scales, and other items of drug paraphernalia.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Wilkes-Barre Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara is prosecuting the case.

This case is also part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Under federal law, the charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.  A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

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