SCRANTON, PA – Michael F. Bogdon, 25, of Kingston, Pennsylvania, is facing a life sentence after being indicted by a federal grand jury on February 6, 2018, for drug distribution resulting in death. The charges stem from an overdose last December, and represent the latest escalation in the ongoing war against the opioid epidemic ravaging the state.
According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, the indictment alleges that Bogdon knowingly and intentionally distributed and possessed with intent to distribute fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance, on or about December 12, 2017, directly leading to the death of another individual. He’s also been slapped with a separate count of possession with intent to distribute. This isn’t just about possession; it’s about a deadly transaction with fatal consequences.
The investigation, a joint effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Scranton field office and the Kingston Police Department, paints a grim picture of the heroin trade in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Prosecutors, led by United States Attorney Michelle Olshefski, are determined to hold Bogdon accountable for his actions. This case is part of the broader Heroin Initiative, a district-wide push to dismantle heroin trafficking networks operating throughout the region.
This isn’t an isolated incident. The Bogdon case is also being pursued under the umbrella of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a federal program aimed at reducing violent crime. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, prioritizing a crackdown on rising violent crime, recently reinvigorated PSN, demanding that all U.S. Attorney’s Offices develop targeted crime reduction strategies. This isn’t just about one arrest; it’s about systematically dismantling the structures that allow this poison to circulate.
It’s crucial to remember that an indictment is not a conviction. Bogdon is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. If convicted, however, he faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment for the drug distribution resulting in death charge. The possession with intent to distribute charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, plus supervised release and a $1,000,000 fine. The Judge will consider a range of factors, as dictated by Federal Sentencing Guidelines, before handing down a final sentence.
The stakes are high, and the message is clear: dealing fentanyl with deadly results will be met with the full force of the law. The United States Attorney’s Office is sending a stark warning to anyone involved in the distribution of this lethal substance – your actions have consequences, and justice will be pursued relentlessly. # # #
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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