Wilkes-Barre man convicted of fentanyl trafficking

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SCRANTON — A Wilkes-Barre man was found guilty by a federal jury in Scranton on charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl.

Kevin Jones, 39, also known as Hat, was convicted following a four day trial before U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion.

According to a news release from U.S. Attorney General Gerard M. Karam, the jury found Jones guilty of having conspired to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl during the conspiracy. Jones was one of 15 individuals indicted in February 2023, for conspiring to distribute fentanyl in Northeastern Pennsylvania, the news release says.

Jones and his co-conspirators obtained pills containing fentanyl via mail from co-conspirators in Arizona and distributed the pills in Wilkes-Barre, Scranton and other areas in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Six of Jones’ co-conspirators testified during the trial, the news release says.

Investigators from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Wilkes-Barre Police Department and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service also testified.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert J. O’Hara and Gerard T. Donahue prosecuted the case.

Thirteen co-defendants have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing, the news release says.