Philadelphia Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Conspiring to Distribute Narcotics and Money Laundering

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JOHNSTOWN, PA — A former resident of Philadelphia, PA, has been sentenced in federal court to a total of 180 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release on his convictions of conspiring to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine base, fentanyl, and heroin, as well as conspiring to commit money laundering, announced Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti.

Senior United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson imposed the sentence Thursday, April 13, 2023, on James Edwards, age 53, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

According to information presented to the court, on or about July 5, 2018, to on or about May 5, 2020, Edwards did conspire to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, 28 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine base, 40 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, and a quantity of heroin, as well as, conspired to commit money laundering, in the Western District of Pennsylvania. Further, Edwards distributed 50 grams or more of methamphetamine in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Assistant United States Attorney Arnold P. Bernard, Jr. prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

The OCDETF led the prosecution of Edwards. The task force is headed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Laurel Highlands Resident Agency and is comprised of members drawn from the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Indiana Borough Police Department.

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