SCRANTON, PA – James Williams, III, a 45-year-old resident of East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, is headed to federal prison for over twelve years. On June 26, 2024, U.S. District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani sentenced Williams, also known as “Dilly,” to 147 months’ imprisonment following a jury conviction on multiple drug and firearms charges. The case underscores the relentless pursuit of those who peddle poison and pack heat in our communities.
The feds say Williams was found guilty on April 20, 2023, of two counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine within 1,000 feet of a school – a particularly callous disregard for the safety of children. He was also convicted of possession with intent to distribute over 500 grams of cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of a stolen firearm. A laundry list of offenses, and a clear pattern of criminal behavior.
The investigation, spearheaded by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Stroud Area Regional Police Department, and the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office, revealed a brazen operation. According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, on March 29, 2018, and April 18, 2018, undercover law enforcement officers made two separate controlled purchases of cocaine directly from Williams in a commercial parking lot practically in the shadow of Stroudsburg High School. The dealer wasn’t exactly being subtle.
The bust didn’t stop there. On May 3, 2018, authorities executed a search warrant at Williams’s residence, uncovering a veritable arsenal of firearms, over 600 grams of cocaine, the tools of the trade for packaging drugs, and a staggering $21,000 in U.S. currency. The scene painted a clear picture of a well-funded, ongoing criminal enterprise. It wasn’t a hobby; it was a business.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jenny P. Roberts and Sean A. Camoni skillfully prosecuted the case, bringing Williams to justice. This prosecution falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a federal initiative designed to unite law enforcement at all levels with the communities they serve to combat violent crime and gun violence. The program aims to foster trust, support community organizations, prioritize strategic enforcement, and – crucially – measure results.
The Department launched a strengthened version of PSN in May 2021, doubling down on core principles. Williams’s sentencing serves as a stark warning: those who choose to profit from the misery of others and endanger our neighborhoods will face the full weight of the law. The streets of East Stroudsburg are a little safer today, but the fight against the drug trade is far from over.
Related Federal Cases
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- Pittsburgh Duo Indicted in Decade-Long Cocaine Ring · Pennsylvania
- Darrell Rhett Faces Life Sentence for Cocaine Possession · Pennsylvania
- Somerset County Resident Pleads Guilty in Cocaine Ring · Pennsylvania
Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime|Weapons|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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