Yerigardy Tejeda-Zoquier, Crystal Methamphetamine Trafficking, Pennsylvania 2021

SCRANTON, Pennsylvania - A Luzerne County man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for his role in a major crystal methamphetamine trafficking operation.

According to court documents, Yerigardy Tejeda-Zoquier, 23, of West Hazleton, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty on September 7, 2023, to the charge of possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of crystal methamphetamine.

Tejeda-Zoquier admitted to possessing between 500 grams and 1.5 kilograms of highly pure crystal methamphetamine for further distribution in the Luzerne County and Carbon County areas in 2021. Investigators purchased crystal methamphetamine from Tejeda-Zoquier on multiple occasions between January and March 2021 in both Luzerne and Carbon Counties, and then seized additional crystal methamphetamine from two vehicles utilized by Tejeda-Zoquier.

The charges against Tejeda-Zoquier resulted from an investigation conducted by the Pennsylvania State Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O'Hara is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.

Under federal law, Tejeda-Zoquier faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in prison, up to a maximum sentence of life in prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

The investigation into Tejeda-Zoquier's crystal methamphetamine trafficking operation is ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.

The Luzerne County man is currently being held in federal custody pending sentencing.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdpa/pr/luzerne-county-man-pleads-guilty-crystal-methamphetamine-trafficking