PHILADELPHIA, PA \u2014 A Dominican national living in Allentown was sentenced Tuesday to 15 years in federal prison for distributing fentanyl, including near a school and playground, U.S. Attorney David Metcalf said.<\/p>\n
Wilson Rosario, 36, also known as \u201cJoshua,\u201d was sentenced by U.S. District Judge John M. Gallagher to 15 years in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, along with a $3,000 fine and a $300 special assessment.<\/p>\n
Rosario pleaded guilty in January to drug distribution conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and two counts of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a protected location.<\/p>\n
According to court filings, investigators conducted controlled purchases of fentanyl from Rosario between April and August 2023.<\/p>\n
On August 26, 2023, agents executed a search warrant at a residence on the 800 block of West Chew Street in Allentown, about 100 feet from an elementary school and playground.<\/p>\n
Authorities said they recovered nearly 300 grams of suspected fentanyl, along with a hydraulic press, respirator, digital scales and other equipment used to package drugs.<\/p>\n
Agents also searched a second location on the 1300 block of West Chew Street, about 300 feet from Franklin Park, where they seized more than four kilograms of suspected fentanyl, along with Narcan, a respirator and packaging materials.<\/p>\n
Laboratory testing confirmed that more than 4,272 grams of the seized substances contained fentanyl or a mixture of fentanyl and xylazine.<\/p>\n
Combined with drugs obtained through controlled purchases, Rosario was held responsible for approximately 4,334.93 grams of fentanyl in the case.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter entering the United States illegally, the defendant wasted no time in acquiring bulk quantities of fentanyl,\u201d Metcalf said.<\/p>\n
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday said the investigation targeted a trafficker operating near public spaces.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis investigation and prosecution stopped an upper-level drug trafficker who was storing his poisonous products within walking distance of an elementary school and public park,\u201d Sunday said.<\/p>\n
The case was investigated by the Pennsylvania Attorney General\u2019s Office Bureau of Narcotics Investigation, the Lehigh County District Attorney\u2019s Office and Homeland Security Investigations.<\/p>\n
Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Schopf prosecuted the case.<\/p>\n