The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, announced that Augustine DeCruz, age 59, was sentenced Wednesday by United States District Judge A. Richard Caputo to 104 months’ imprisonment for possession with intent to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine and possessing and carrying a firearm during, in relation to, and in furtherance of possessing with intent to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine. DeCruz, a native and citizen of Guyana, who is in the United States illegally, formerly resided in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
According to United States Attorney Peter J. Smith, on Feb. 10, 2011 and Feb. 16, 2011, members of the Pennsylvania State Police Vice and Narcotics Unit based at PSP Wyoming, Luzerne County, executed search warrants on DeCruz’s residence located on Pennsylvania Avenue, Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County. During the search, troopers seized approximately 77 grams of cocaine base, (crack cocaine), 85 grams of cocaine hydrochloride (powder cocaine), two handguns, a rifle, approximately $2,500 in U.S. currency, a surveillance system, and a large amount of packaging material.
In addition to the items found during the search warrant of DeCruz’s residence, police were able to make multiple controlled purchases of cocaine from DeCruz during transactions that occurred in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. After his arrest by local authorities, DeCruz’s criminal case was adopted for federal prosecution.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations and the Pennsylvania State Police. The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Brian G. McDonnell.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
