SCRANTON, PA – Anthony Joseph Nieves, 32, of Pittston, Pennsylvania, is headed to federal prison for nearly nine years. U.S. District Judge Joseph F. Saporito, Jr. handed down a 105-month sentence on September 4, 2025, after Nieves was convicted of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl – a drug fueling the overdose crisis gripping the nation.
The bust, according to Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, began unraveling in October 2024. Pittston City Police deployed a confidential informant who successfully purchased fentanyl from Nieves on multiple occasions. The street-level buys quickly escalated into a full investigation, culminating in a November 1, 2024 raid on Nieves’ home.
Investigators didn’t just find drugs. The search warrant yielded fentanyl, a collection of drug trafficking paraphernalia, a significant $1,274 in cash, and, disturbingly, body armor. This wasn’t a small-time operation, and the presence of protective gear suggests Nieves anticipated trouble, or was prepared to escalate any conflict. This isn’t Nieves’ first rodeo with the law; court records show this marks his fifth drug trafficking conviction.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pittston City Police Department worked jointly on the investigation, demonstrating the collaborative effort required to tackle drug trafficking networks. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenny P. Roberts skillfully prosecuted the case, securing the lengthy sentence that will now keep Nieves off the streets.
This case falls under the umbrella of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a federal program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence. Launched in 2021, PSN emphasizes building trust with communities, supporting local violence prevention initiatives, and focusing enforcement efforts where they’re needed most. It also represents a key component of the broader United States Attorney’s Office’s “Heroin Initiative,” a district-wide effort specifically designed to dismantle heroin and fentanyl trafficking operations across the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
The sentencing of Anthony Joseph Nieves sends a clear message: those who profit from peddling deadly drugs like fentanyl will face serious consequences. The Heroin Initiative, and PSN, continue to target traffickers, and work with local and federal partners to combat the ongoing epidemic that continues to claim lives. The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not ruled out the possibility of additional charges or arrests related to this case.
RELATED: Fentanyl Dealer Nieves Gets Over 8 Years
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- Fentanyl, Gun Tossed From DC Window: Dealer Faces Decades · Maryland
- DC Dealer Dumped Gun & Fentanyl, Now Faces 15+ Years · Maryland
- Bronx Dealer Gets 4 Years for 8 Kilo Coke Run · Pennsylvania
- Bronx Dealer Gets 4 Years for PA Coke Run · Pennsylvania
Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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