Dexter Yard, Fentanyl Cocaine Trafficking, Pennsylvania 2021

WILKES-BARRE, PA – Dexter Yard, 36, of Wilkes-Barre, has confessed to pushing fentanyl and cocaine onto the streets of Luzerne County. Yard pleaded guilty on March 8th before U.S. District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani, bringing him one step closer to facing federal justice.

The bust unfolded on August 17, 2021, when officers from the Wilkes-Barre Police Department and the Pennsylvania State Police made a controlled purchase of the deadly duo – fentanyl and cocaine – directly from Yard. The deal wasn’t the end of it. A subsequent search of Yard’s vehicle revealed more than just drug residue; authorities discovered a fully loaded .38 caliber handgun, alongside drug paraphernalia and the cash used in the undercover buy.

U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam confirmed the details, painting a picture of a dangerous operator peddling poison in the community. This wasn’t a simple possession case; Yard actively distributed these substances, contributing directly to the opioid crisis ravaging Pennsylvania and the nation.

The investigation, a collaborative effort between the Wilkes-Barre Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), underscores the multi-agency approach being utilized to combat violent crime. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. O’Hara is spearheading the prosecution.

This case falls under the umbrella of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a federal program designed to foster trust between law enforcement and communities, support local violence prevention efforts, and prioritize strategic enforcement. The Department of Justice launched a renewed focus on PSN in May 2021, aiming to bolster its impact.

Yard now faces a maximum sentence of 20 years behind bars, in addition to a term of supervised release and a hefty fine. The final sentence will be determined by Judge Mariani, taking into account federal sentencing guidelines and the severity of the crime. This isn’t just about locking up a drug dealer; it’s about sending a message that trafficking poison and carrying illegal firearms won’t be tolerated in the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

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