Christopher Barton, a resident of Detroit, Michigan, was sentenced on Apr. 7 to 60 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for violating federal narcotics and firearm laws as part of a Homeland Security Task Force investigation, according to United States Attorney Troy Rivetti.
Barton, age 26, had previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine between August 2023 and August 2024. He also admitted possessing a firearm after having been convicted of a felony. The sentence was imposed by United States District Judge Robert J. Colville.
Court documents show that Barton participated in a drug trafficking operation based in both Detroit and New Castle, Pennsylvania. He sold controlled substances to customers in the New Castle area. Law enforcement executed a search warrant at a location in New Castle on February 7, 2024; Barton was present during the search when two pistols were seized. Because of his prior felony convictions, Barton was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Craig W. Haller. Multiple agencies contributed to the investigation leading up to Barton's prosecution: the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Drug Enforcement Administration; Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General; Lawrence County Drug Task Force; New Castle Police Department; Michigan State Police; Pennsylvania State Police; Mercer County Drug Task Force; United States Postal Inspection Service; Homeland Security Investigations; and Douglas County (Nebraska) Sheriff’s Office.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative created under Executive Order 14159: Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The initiative involves multiple government agencies working together against criminal cartels and transnational organizations operating within the United States and abroad.
