SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a Hazleton man was charged by the United States Attorney’s Office in a Criminal Information filed on August 30 with conspiracy to distribute the prescription drugs Tramadol and Ambien.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the Information alleges that Azim Hosein, age 45, committed the offense during November 2014 through January 2016.
The charge stems from an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Hazleton Police into the importation of controlled substances from India and their subsequent distribution in the Hazleton area.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa is prosecuting the case.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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 maximum penalty under federal law is five years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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