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 Marvin Rivera, a/k/a “Mace,” age 26, of Allentown, Pennsylvania, Oliver Rivera, age 31, of Drums, Pennsylvania, Mark Reynolds age 57, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, Sherrielee Stout, age 32, of Plymouth, Pennsylvania, Chandler George, age 34, of Allentown, Pennsylvania, Angela Ruggiero, age 42, of Hazleton, Pennsylvania,  Joel Fernandez, age 34, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, and Eric Konnick, age 41, of Edwardsville, Pennsylvania, were indicted by a federal grand jury on drug trafficking charges and firearm offenses.

According to Acting United States Attorney John Gurganus, the indictment alleges that between January of 2025, and July 30 of 2025, the eight charged defendants conspired to distribute large quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, benzodiazepines, and marijuana within Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, and elsewhere.  The indictment further alleges the defendants committed the following criminal offenses:

  • On multiple occasions between January of 2025 and July 2025, Marvin Rivera, a/k/a “Mace,” distributed and possessed with intent to distribute over 50 grams and more of methamphetamine;
  • Between May 29, 2025, and July 20, 2025, Marvin Rivera, a/k/a “Mace,” and six of the other co-defendants used communication facilities to facilitate the commission of a drug trafficking crime, namely conspiracy to distribute controlled substances;
  • On July 30, 2025, Joel Fernandez and Marvin Rivera possessed with intent to distribute over 500 grams of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine, and over 400 grams of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl;
  • On July 30, 2025, Angela Ruggiero possessed with intent to distribute over 50 grams of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine;
  • On July 30, 2025, Eric Konnick possessed with intent to distribute over 50 grams of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine, and over 40 grams of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl; and,
  • On July 30, 2025, Joel Fernandez and Marvin Rivera, a/k/a “Mace,” each possessed a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

During the investigation, agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) executed search warrants at numerous locations associated with the drug trafficking activities of the defendants. On July 30, 2025, the agents found, among other items: approximately 71 pounds of alleged methamphetamine, over 2 kilograms of alleged fentanyl (which represents over one million in potential fatal doses), approximately 2 kilograms of cocaine, marijuana, and benzodiazepines, as well as multiple firearms, drug packaging materials including a kilogram press and vacuum sealers, and over $160,000 in cash. The street value for the recovered controlled substances is approximately $600,000.

The case was investigated by the DEA, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Wilkes-Barre Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys James M. Buchanan and Tatum Wilson are prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline), a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

The maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is imprisonment for life, 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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