Jury convicts Hazleton man on felony drug trafficking offenses

WILKES-BARRE — A Luzerne County jury convicted Stanley A. Sabatel, 26, on charges he conspired with others in distributing a large amount of methamphetamine in the Hazleton area in 2021.

Sabatel, formerly of West 20th Street, was convicted on two counts of criminal conspiracy with intent to deliver a controlled substance, and one count each of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, robbery and criminal conspiracy to commit robbery.

The verdict came after a week long trial before President Judge Michael T. Vough.

According to Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry, Sabatel was a supplier for mid-to-upper level street dealers of methamphetamine.

“The jury heard testimony that this defendant was at the top of the chain of a methamphetamine trafficking operation distributing poison in neighborhoods throughout Luzerne County. This verdict is a testament to the relentless efforts of law enforcement to combat drug trafficking in our communities,” Henry stated in a news release.

Sabatel was arrested in November 2021, following a joint investigation by the state Office of Attorney General, Pennsylvania State Police, Hazleton City Police Department, Butler Township Police Department and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Senior Deputy Attorney General Michelle Hardik, Chief Deputy Attorney General Angela Sperrazza and Deputy Attorney General Thomas Hogans prosecuted.

Sabatel is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 27.