Mark Cook Indicted on Expanded Sex, Drug Trafficking Charges

Scranton man Mark Cook, 38, is back in the crosshairs of federal prosecutors, hit with a superseding indictment that piles on fresh allegations of sex trafficking by force, drug distribution, and wire fraud. The new charges, handed down by a federal grand jury in the Middle District of Pennsylvania, paint a brutal picture of a man who allegedly ruled through fear, violence, and deception.

Cook, known on the streets as “Lucky,” now faces additional counts of sex trafficking and attempted sex trafficking by force and coercion involving two new victims. According to U.S. Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Cook used intimidation, physical assaults, and illegal drugs to control women in a prostitution ring he operated across Scranton and Wilkes-Barre. He allegedly posted ads online, booked hotel rooms, and kept victims trapped through threats and manipulation.

The expanded indictment also drags Cook into the drug trade. He is accused of conspiring with others to distribute cocaine between February and April 2015. Combined with prior charges including possession with intent to distribute heroin, “molly,” and cocaine, the case reveals a multi-pronged criminal enterprise built on exploitation and narcotics.

But the charges don’t stop there. Cook is also accused of committing wire fraud during an insurance claim for a vehicle in August and September 2016. Federal investigators say he used electronic communications to deceive insurers, adding a financial crime layer to an already grim docket. The wire fraud count alone carries a potential 30-year prison sentence.

The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Scranton Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa is handling the prosecution. Despite the weight of the allegations, the Justice Department stresses that indictments are not convictions — Cook is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

If convicted, Cook could face life behind bars. Each sex trafficking charge carries a mandatory minimum of 15 years and a maximum of life. The drug and attempted witness tampering counts each carry up to 20 years; wire fraud, up to 30. Under federal sentencing guidelines, the judge will weigh the severity of the crimes, Cook’s history, and the need for punishment and public protection before imposing any sentence.

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