A Monroe County man has been sentenced to 180 months in federal prison for drug trafficking offenses. Pernell Riddick, 36, of Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania, received the sentence from United States District Judge Julia K. Munley for possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.
According to Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, “on or about September 2, 2022, Riddick, possessed with intent to distribute methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance, fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance, and cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance in Monroe County, Pennsylvania. In furtherance of his drug trafficking endeavor, Riddick possessed a 9-millimeter Smith & Wesson handgun and a 9-millimeter Taurus G2C handgun.”
The case falls under Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline), an initiative that brings together resources from the Department of Justice to address illegal immigration and target cartels and transnational criminal organizations. The operation also aims to protect communities from violent crime by coordinating efforts through programs like the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
The investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Pocono Mountain Regional Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Tatum R. Wilson prosecuted the case.
