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

HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jose Ricardo Pena, age 58, of the Dominican Republic, was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury with illegal reentry and four counts of distributing fentanyl.    

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that on or about March 7, 2017, Pena was previously removed from the United States through Alexandria, Louisiana, and it is alleged that he reentered the United States without first obtaining legal permission to do so.  The indictment also alleges that on or about October 25, 2023, Pena was encountered in Dauphin County.  In addition, the indictment alleges that on four occasions, Pena distributed fentanyl between August 23, 2023, and October 10, 2023. 

The matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott R. Ford 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.

The maximum penalty for this offense is up to 100 years 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.

Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

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