Ryan Medar Sentenced

Ryan Medar, a 38-year-old from Jenkins Township, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced to 134 months in prison for his role in a drug conspiracy offense. Medar pleaded guilty to conspiring with his co-defendants to distribute controlled substances in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, between October 2023 and April 2024.

According to Acting United States Attorney John Gurganus, Medar was responsible for distributing cocaine and over 50 grams of methamphetamine. During the investigation, law enforcement officers utilized a confidential informant to purchase methamphetamine and a pistol from Medar. This shocking turn of events led to Medar’s downfall and ultimately, his sentence of 134 months in prison, followed by four years of supervised release.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Kingston Police Department, the Plains Township Police Department, the Wilkes-Barre Police Department, the Pittston Police Department, the Luzerne County Drug Task Force, the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office, and the Lackawanna County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney James M. Buchanan prosecuted the case, which was a result of a collaborative effort between law enforcement agencies.

This case is a prime example of the efforts being made to reduce violent crime and gun violence in our communities. The case was prosecuted under the new criminal provisions of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which was enacted in June 2022. The Act is the first federal statute specifically designed to target the unlawful trafficking and straw-purchasing of firearms.

The investigation and prosecution of Medar’s case are also part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that brings together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence. The program aims to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone by fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

In a statement, Acting United States Attorney John Gurganus praised the efforts of the law enforcement agencies involved in the case, saying that their collaborative efforts led to the successful prosecution of Medar. The sentence of 134 months in prison is a significant one, and it sends a strong message to those who would engage in similar criminal activity. As Medar begins his sentence, it is clear that the justice system is taking a strong stance against drug conspiracy and related crimes.

The case against Medar and his co-defendants, including Jamie Smicherko, Patrick Russin, and Carlos Laurel, is a reminder that law enforcement agencies are committed to keeping our communities safe. The use of confidential informants and other investigative techniques has proven to be effective in bringing criminals to justice. As the community moves forward, it is hoped that the sentence of Medar will serve as a deterrent to others who would engage in similar activity.

RELATED: Medar Sentenced to 134 Months for Drug Conspiracy in Luzerne Co.