SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that a Pittston man was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury in Scranton on heroin trafficking and firearm offenses.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the indictment charges Samuel Lombardo, age 50, with distributing and possessing with intent to distribute heroin in Pittston on two occasions in August of 2015. The indictment also charges Lombardo with possessing a firearm in furtherance of his heroin trafficking activities.
The charges stem from a joint investigation between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Kingston Police Department in which Lombardo allegedly sold heroin on two occasions in August of 2015. When Mr. Lombardo was stopped he had 7 additional bags of heroin and a loaded.25 caliber semi-automatic Armi Tanfolio handgun inside of his vehicle.
The investigation of these cases was conducted by the ATF, working in conjunction with the Kingston Police Department. The prosecution is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Evan Gotlob.
This case was brought as part of the Violent Crime Reduction Partnership (“VCRP"), a districtwide initiative to combat the spread of violent crime in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the VCRP consists of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies whose mission is to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit violent crimes.
This case was also 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.
Lombardo faces a minimum of 5 years and up to a lifetime term of incarceration as well as fines totaling $3,250,000.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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.
Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
