SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jose Turbi, age 36, of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury for drug trafficking and firearm offenses.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that between December of 2021 and Oct. 12, 2022, in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, and elsewhere, Turbi conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute over 400 grams of fentanyl, over 500 grams of methamphetamine, over 500 grams of cocaine, and a quantity of marijuana. The indictment also alleges that on Oct. 12, 2022, in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, Turbi possessed with the intent to distribute quantities of fentanyl, cocaine, and marijuana, as well as a 9mm pistol in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.
This case is 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 matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Hazleton Police Department, the Luzerne County Drug Task Force, and the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office. United States Attorney James M. Buchanan is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is life imprisonment and a fine of $10,000,000. 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.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
