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 John Nester, age 55, of Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on November 20, 2025, to 144 months’ imprisonment and a term of supervised release by United States District Judge Karoline Mehalchick for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, Nester previously pled guilty to possessing with the intent to distribute approximately 30 grams of fentanyl and possessing a Glock pistol in furtherance of that drug trafficking crime. The pistol and fentanyl were found during the execution of a search warrant at the defendant’s home in June of 2024. Nester also possessed additional fentanyl on his person and in his vehicle.
The matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Pocono Mountain Regional Police, and the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney James M. Buchanan prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.
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