Scranton, PA – Acting U.S. Marshal Martin
J. Pane announced today that the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) arrested Julio
Mena Matos in Hazleton, Pennsylvania.
On June 8, 2010, a federal grand jury in the Middle District of Pennsylvania,
Scranton Division, indicted Mena Matos for his role in a cocaine trafficking
ring operating in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. Mena Matos and 16 other
co-defendants were charged in the federal indictment with conspiring to
distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of cocaine
base (crack), and more than 5 kilograms of cocaine. It is alleged this
conspiracy began in 2007 and continued through June 8, 2010 in Luzerne County,
Pennsylvania.
The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in
Scranton.
Mena Matos’ whereabouts were unknown at the time of the federal Indictment. He
was declared a fugitive. Shortly thereafter, the DEA delegated apprehension
responsibility to the United States Marshals Service.
U.S. Marshals in Scranton initiated a fugitive investigation. Leads on Mena
Matos were developed and investigated over the past 16 months.
On October 13, U.S. Marshals from Scranton developed information the fugitive
may be in lower Luzerne County. During the evening hours, U.S. Marshals arrested
Julio Mena Matos in the 500 block of W. Green Street in Hazleton.
Mena Matos, 30 years of age, will be held in custody pending federal court
proceedings in Scranton.
Acting United States Marshal Pane stated, “Fugitives wanted for drug violations
are given top priority and, although Mena Matos ran, U.S. Marshals Service
personnel worked tirelessly in the pursuit of this elusive fugitive.”
Additional information about the U.S.
Marshals Service can be found at
http://www.usmarshals.gov.
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