A Scranton man was sentenced to 20 years behind bars Wednesday after pleading guilty to gun and drug charges, according to the United States attorney’s office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
U.S. District Judge Karoline Mehalchick sentenced Jimmy Bell, 33, for one count of conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and marijuana, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of attempted possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and one count of possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.
Upon his release from jail, Bell will be subject to court supervision.
As part of his guilty plea, Bell admitted that on or about May 26, 2023, he conspired with his co-defendants to distribute and possess with intent to distribute over 2 kilograms of methamphetamine and nearly 4 kilograms of marijuana.
Bell, a previously convicted felon, also admitted that he possessed a rifle with an obliterated serial number, additional ammunition and a Smith & Wesson .38 Special handgun with an obliterated serial number and additional ammunition in furtherance of his drug trafficking offense.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America.
The FBI, Pennsylvania State Police and the Lackawanna County district attorney’s office investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Gerard Donahue was the prosecutor.