Eric Hill, a Plymouth man, was sentenced to ten years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiring to distribute between 400 and 1.2 kilos grams of fentanyl in Luzerne County in 2019 and 2020. The United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania brought charges against Hill after a joint investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, the Luzerne County Drug Task Force, and the Pennsylvania State Police, among others.

Hill's conviction is among hundreds of fentanyl-related cases in Pennsylvania federal courts. As overdose deaths linked to fentanyl continue to increase nationwide, the federal government and states such as Pennsylvania are working hard to crack down on the illegal substance's distribution, sale, or possession. Those convicted of such offenses face stiffer sentences and penalties, changing their lives forever.

If you have been arrested on a charge related to fentanyl, it's critical to contact the LLF Law Firm as soon as possible. Our criminal defense team is well-experienced in federal and state drug laws and will fight hard to protect your interests. Call us today at 888.535.3686 or contact us online.

What You Need to Know About Fentanyl Distribution Charges

Fentanyl is a Schedule II controlled substance. The government has classified it as such to indicate that it's a highly addictive drug that requires strict regulation. If you are convicted of trafficking or conspiring to traffic fentanyl, you will face a minimum of 5 years in prison and up to $5 million in financial penalties if you sought to distribute 399 grams or less of the drug. If you are convicted of trafficking more 400 grams of fentanyl, you'll face at least ten years in prison and up to $10 million in fines.

The consequences are even more severe for a conviction relating to trafficking fentanyl derivatives, such as fluoro-fentanyl. Most fentanyl derivatives are Schedule I controlled substances because they are both dangerously addictive and have no legitimate purpose in society. A conviction of trafficking just 10 grams of a fentanyl derivative brings a prison sentence of five years, at a minimum.

How to Fight Fentanyl Drug Charges

If you are arrested on a fentanyl-related charge in Pennsylvania, don't panic. But do seek the advice of a skilled drug defense lawyer without delay. Several defenses to drug charges exist, one of which may help get the case dismissed or reduce the charges. These defenses include:

• Unlawful search and seizure. Law enforcement must use constitutional means to search for and acquire evidence. Courts must not accept unlawfully obtained drugs as evidence.
• Entrapment. Law enforcement may not trick you into committing a crime and then prosecute you.
• Legal possession. Fentanyl has very limited legitimate uses. You may not be convicted of a crime if you were legally entitled to possess it.
• Unknowing possession. You may have been unaware that you had fentanyl in your possession, such as if someone left it in your home or car.
• Good-faith belief in the legality of the drug. You may have had a good-faith belief that the drugs were legal.

The LLF Law Firm Criminal Defense Team has ample experience defending clients facing fentanyl-related or other drug charges, and we're ready to defend you too. Whether in federal court or Pennsylvania state court, we can help you fight for the best possible outcome. Contact us today at 888.535.3686 or reach out to us online to evaluate your case and start building a strong defense.