JOHNSTOWN, PA — A Pennsylvania woman has been sentenced to more than eight years in federal prison for her role in multiple drug trafficking conspiracies involving heroin, crack cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl.

Jessica Wilson, 39, of Johnstown, was sentenced on May 8, 2025, by United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan to 100 months (8 years and 4 months) in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. The sentence stems from two separate criminal cases, both involving large-scale drug distribution in the Western District of Pennsylvania.

The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti, who confirmed that Wilson’s convictions included conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute multiple controlled substances.

Wiretap Evidence Uncovered Drug Activity

Federal investigators used a wiretap to intercept communications and monitor Wilson’s involvement in a drug trafficking network from January 2021 to July 2021. During that time, prosecutors say Wilson conspired to distribute significant quantities of:

• Heroin
• Crack cocaine
• Methamphetamine

According to court documents, Wilson was regularly acquiring drugs and distributing them to others, playing an active role in the network’s operation. The intercepted communications revealed her coordination with other individuals to move illegal narcotics throughout the region.

Separate Charges for Fentanyl and Crack Distribution

Wilson faced additional charges related to a separate offense between April 2024 and June 2024, when she was once again found to be distributing fentanyl and crack cocaine. Prosecutors allege that Wilson conspired to traffic mixtures containing fentanyl, a drug known to be 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine, and a leading cause of overdose deaths in the United States.

The case underscores ongoing federal efforts to crack down on fentanyl trafficking, which has become a major public health and safety issue nationwide.

Federal Prosecutors Lead the Case

The prosecution of Jessica Wilson was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Maureen Sheehan-Balchon and Arnold P. Bernard Jr., both of whom are part of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Western District of Pennsylvania.

Acting U.S. Attorney Troy Rivetti emphasized the significance of the sentence, noting that it reflects the serious nature of Wilson’s offenses and the government’s commitment to dismantling drug distribution networks in the region.

Broader Context: Fentanyl and Federal Sentencing

The case adds to a growing list of federal convictions linked to the distribution of fentanyl and other opioids in Pennsylvania and across the country. According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), synthetic opioids like fentanyl are the primary driver of drug overdose deaths in the U.S.

Federal penalties for drug conspiracies are particularly severe when fentanyl is involved, due to its high potency and the associated health risks. Distributing even small quantities can lead to lengthy prison sentences, especially when combined with prior convictions or involvement in multiple drug operations.

For more information on the DEA’s efforts to combat fentanyl distribution, visit the DEA’s official fentanyl resource page.

Sentencing Reflects Continued Federal Crackdown

Jessica Wilson’s 100-month prison sentence serves as a warning to those engaged in drug trafficking, especially involving high-risk substances like fentanyl. With law enforcement agencies using tools like wiretaps, federal prosecutions are increasingly able to identify, charge, and convict individuals operating within drug networks, even across multiple years and conspiracies.

As federal authorities continue to prioritize opioid-related offenses, similar cases are expected to move through courts in Pennsylvania and beyond.

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