CALIFORNIA DRUG TRAFFICKER SENTENCED TO 135 MONTHS

Thomas A. Marino, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, announced today that Gerard Scott, age 42, of Bakersfield, California, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge A. Richard Caputo to serve a 135-month sentence of imprisonment for his involvement in a conspiracy to distribute more than 15 kilograms of methamphetamine in California for future sale in the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Pennsylvania State Police. Those agencies utilized sophisticated surveillance techniques to establish that Gregory Runk was obtaining kilogram quantities of methamphetamine from Gerard Scott and others in Bakersville, California. To further the investigation, a Scranton DEA Agent traveled to California to gather additional evidence against Runk’s suppliers. Within two days, and with the support of the DEA Bakersfield Resident Office, the Scranton DEA officer arrested Gerard Scott and his wife, Kalyn Garza-Highfill, for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, and also arrested Pablo Jimenez in possession of three pounds of methamphetamine. Thereafter, the United States Marshals Service transported the three to the Middle District of Pennsylvania to answer the charges. Each individual has pleaded guilty.

In addition to the 135-month sentence of imprisonment, Judge Caputo also ordered Scott to be supervised by a United States Probation Officer for five years after serving his prison sentence.

United States Attorney Marino noted that under the United States Sentencing Guidelines currently in effect, parole has been abolished, and Scott will be required to serve at least 85% of his 135-month sentence, assuming he receives full time off for good behavior while incarcerated.

Assistant United States Attorney John Gurganus of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force represented the United States at the sentencing hearing.

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