News Banner


For Immediate Release

Contact:
October 14, 2011 James A. Cunfer, Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal
Middle District of Pennsylvania (570) 346-7277
Federal Drug Fugitive's Run from Justice has Ended
U.S. Marshals Capture Alleged Trafficker in Hazleton

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.

####

 

America’s Oldest Federal Law Enforcement Agency