Kevin Peterson, Alpha-PVP Distribution, PA 2020

SCRANTON—A gritty federal crime wave in Pennsylvania has culminated in a tough sentence for Kevin Peterson, 36, of Scranton. On August 25, 2020, Peterson was sentenced to 41 months’ imprisonment followed by three years on supervised release after being found guilty of conspiracy to distribute alpha-pvp, the dangerous drug known as ‘bath salts.’

United States Attorney David J. Freed revealed that Peterson and his co-conspirators secured alpha-pvp from suppliers in China before distributing it to Luzerne County residents during 2014 and 2015.

Peterson was among the seven individuals charged by a grand jury in August 2016, marking the fourth wave of arrests related to alpha-pvp distribution in the area. Since July 2013, 18 people have been charged in this case, including suppliers based in Texas who pleaded guilty after being caught importing the deadly substance.

The investigation was a collaborative effort by Homeland Security Investigations, United States Postal Inspectors, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Pennsylvania State Police, and Luzerne County local law enforcement. Assistant United States Attorney Francis P. Sempa led the prosecution.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime by fostering cooperation between all levels of law enforcement and communities. PSN was reinvigorated in 2017 as a focus on targeting violent criminals, ensuring neighborhoods are safer for everyone.

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