A Reading woman is the second defendant to be sentenced to federal prison on charges in a drug-trafficking ring based in Berks County.
Kayla Rickenbach, 24, was sentenced Tuesday by U.S. District Court Judge Stephanie L. Haines in Johnstown to 7 1/2 years in prison followed by four years of supervised release, according to a release from U.S. Attorney Troy Rivetti.
Rickenbach pleaded guilty in January to conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine.
Investigators said Rickenbach conspired with Angel Diaz-Gibson Jr., 34, of Reading, who was sentenced May 4 by Haines to 262 months in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release.
Diaz-Gibson also pleaded guilty in January to conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine.
Officials said Rickenbach conspired to distribute and possessed with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of a mixture of fentanyl and 50 grams or more of a mixture of methamphetamine from June 2024 to August 2024 in the Western District of Pennsylvania. She also possessed with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture of methamphetamine and 40 grams or more of a mixture of fentanyl in August 2024.
According to court documents:
State police in March 2024 began investigating Diaz-Gibson, who at that time was on federal supervision for a drug conviction in the Southern District of West Virginia, to establish that he was a large-scale methamphetamine and fentanyl trafficker based in Berks.
Investigators identified Rickenbach and two others as conspirators with Diaz-Gibson and each other to distribute drugs, including in the Western District of Pennsylvania.
A trooper stopped Diaz-Gibson in July 2024 in Bedford for having a suspended vehicle registration and noticed a strong odor of marijuana.
Diaz-Gibson admitted having a blunt of marijuana, and he and Rickenbach, who was a passenger, consented to a search of the vehicle.
Investigators found 334 grams of meth behind the glove box and 48 grams of fentanyl under the center console and arrested Diaz-Gibson. Three cellphones — including one believed to belong to Rickenbach — also were seized.
While jailed, Diaz-Gibson directed two co-conspirators, including Rickenbach, to continue his drug trafficking.
Diaz-Gibson arranged for Rickenbach to conduct drug deliveries, money pickups, and directed her to their drug supplier.
On Aug. 24, 2024, law enforcement in Berks conducted surveillance on Rickenbach and a co-conspirator based on communications with Gibson-Diaz.
Officers saw the co-conspirator access Gibson-Diaz’s car, where they believed drugs were stashed.
That same day, troopers stopped a vehicle driven by the co-conspirator in Bedford County. Rickenbach was a passenger in the vehicle.
After they consenting to a search of the vehicle, troopers seized two plastic bags containing 444 grams of methamphetamine and 138 grams of fentanyl zip-tied to the vehicle’s spare tire. They also seized marijuana, money and four cellphones.
A Reading residence was searched and investigators seized more methamphetamine, fentanyl and money.