Illegal Alien Sentenced to 5 Years for Drug Trafficking & Firearm Possession in Pennsylvania

A Saint Martin citizen illegally residing in Johnstown was sentenced to 5 years in prison for drug trafficking and possessing a firearm.Photo byStock Image

By Kristy Tallman, July 9, 2024

JOHNSTOWN, PA — A Saint Martin citizen unlawfully residing in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, was sentenced in federal court to 60 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for his involvement in narcotics trafficking and possession of a firearm by an illegal alien. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan.

Senior United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson imposed the sentence on Hector Concepcion, 35. According to court information, Concepcion conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of crack cocaine, heroin, and cocaine from around August 2019 to April 2021 in the Western District of Pennsylvania. Additionally, in July 2021, Concepcion, who was unlawfully in the United States, possessed a firearm and ammunition, a violation of federal law.

Federal law prohibits anyone illegally or unlawfully in the United States, or admitted under a non-immigrant visa, from possessing a firearm. Concepcion was intercepted on a federal wiretap obtaining quantities of crack cocaine, heroin, and cocaine for distribution.

Assistant United States Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. U.S. Attorney Olshan commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Laurel Highlands Resident Agency and Homeland Security Investigations for the investigation that led to Concepcion’s successful prosecution. Additional agencies involved included the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, United States Postal Inspection Service, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Pennsylvania State Police, Cambria County District Attorney’s Office, Indiana County District Attorney’s Office, Cambria County Sheriff’s Office, Cambria Township Police Department, Indiana Borough Police Department, Johnstown Police Department, Upper Yoder Township Police Department, Richland Police Department, Ferndale Police Department, and other local law enforcement agencies.

This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by leveraging the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

By Kristy Tallman, July 9, 2024
The Republic News
Source: U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Pennsylvania

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