SCRANTON – In a crushing blow to the opioid epidemic, Joshua Sweet, a 32-year-old resident of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced to 37 months in prison for his role in a massive drug trafficking operation.
According to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Sweet pleaded guilty to two felony counts of money laundering and drug trafficking. The charges stem from Sweet’s activities between October 2016 and May 2018, during which time he manufactured, distributed, and possessed with the intent to manufacture and distribute a host of illicit substances, including oxycodone, methylphenidate, tramadol, fentanyl, methamphetamine, alprazolam, lysergic acid diethylamide, cocaine, marijuana, and psilocin.
But Sweet’s crimes didn’t stop there. Investigators also found evidence of money laundering, as Sweet exchanged over $200,000 in bitcoin – proceeds from the sale of controlled substances – for cash through an unlicensed remitter. Additionally, authorities seized bitcoin, gold bars, and cash from Sweet, totaling approximately $100,000 in value.
The case was investigated by the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Hazleton Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean A. Camoni prosecuted the case.
Sweet’s sentencing is a significant blow to the opioid epidemic, which has ravaged communities across the country. The case is also part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by fostering trust and legitimacy in communities, supporting community-based organizations, and setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities.
Furthermore, this case is part of a district-wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin-related offenses.
Judge Robert D. Mariani presided over the sentencing hearing, where Sweet was held accountable for his crimes. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has made it clear that they will continue to pursue individuals who engage in drug trafficking and money laundering, bringing them to justice and making our communities safer for everyone.
In light of this case, it’s clear that the war on drugs is far from over. As law enforcement agencies continue to work tirelessly to combat the opioid epidemic, it’s essential that we remain vigilant and support their efforts to keep our communities safe.
Defendant: Joshua Sweet
Criminal Charges: Money laundering, drug trafficking
City and State: Hazleton, Pennsylvania
Exact Date: Not specified
Sentence or Outcome: 37 months in prison
Dollar Amounts: $200,000 in bitcoin, $100,000 in seized assets
Related Federal Cases
- Christopher Furman, Wire Fraud and Money Laundering, Pennsylvania 2009 · California
- Joseph LaForte, International Drug Trafficking, Pennsylvania 2023 · Pennsylvania
- Detroit Federal Agents, Money Laundering, Detroit MI, 2024 · Texas
- James Lafortes, Drug Trafficking Ring Collapse, Philadelphia PA, 2023 · Pennsylvania
- Defendant Unknown, Money Laundering Investigation, Washington DC, 2023 · California
Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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