Delaware Man Rowe Nabbed with Kilo of Heroin

HARRISBURG, PA – Anthony Rowe, a 55-year-old man from Wilmington, Delaware, is facing a lengthy prison sentence after a federal jury found him guilty of flooding Dauphin and Lycoming counties with heroin. The conviction, handed down after a three-day trial before Judge Sylvia H. Rambo, confirms Rowe’s role in distributing over one kilo – roughly 40,000 individual bags – of the deadly opioid.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania detailed how Rowe traveled from Philadelphia between February and June 2016, acting as a key link in the heroin supply chain. The jury reached its verdict in a swift thirty minutes, a testament to the strength of the evidence presented. Rowe was immediately taken into custody following the guilty verdict.

This isn’t just about one man’s greed; it’s about the devastation wrought by the heroin epidemic. U.S. Attorney Bruce D. Brandler emphasized this case is part of the “Heroin Initiative,” a district-wide effort aimed at dismantling heroin trafficking networks operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. The initiative brings together federal, state, and local law enforcement, focusing on identifying, arresting, and prosecuting those responsible for pushing this poison into communities.

Rowe now faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years behind bars, with the possibility of a life sentence. The final sentence will be determined by Judge Rambo after considering federal sentencing statutes and guidelines. These guidelines take into account the severity of the crime, Rowe’s criminal history, and the need for both punishment and potential rehabilitation. While the maximum penalty is life imprisonment and a $10,000,000 fine, the actual sentence could vary.

The investigation, a collaborative effort between the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Dauphin County Drug Task Force, underscores the commitment to tackling the heroin crisis head-on. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daryl F. Bloom and Chelsea Schinnour successfully prosecuted the case, presenting the evidence that sealed Rowe’s fate.

This conviction sends a clear message: those who profit from the misery of others, who knowingly distribute deadly drugs like heroin, will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the sentencing as it becomes available, documenting the ongoing fight against drug trafficking in Pennsylvania and beyond. # # #