Acting United States Attorney, Troy Rivetti, announced a resident of New Castle, Pennsylvania, and a resident of Florida, Puerto Rico, were sentenced in federal court for their convictions of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and related charges. 

The defendants were among 17 individuals who were indicted in March 2024 for violating federal narcotics, firearms and racketeering laws by conspiring to distribute cocaine throughout Western Pennsylvania and Youngstown. 

Senior United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab imposed sentences on Jean Sanchez Tulla, 38, of Puerto Rico, and Glenn Samuels, 33, of New Castle.

Tulia was sentenced to nine years of imprisonment and to be followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and interstate travel or transmission in aid of racketeering. 

Samuels was sentenced to 37 months of prison and to be followed by four years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine. 

According to evidence presented to the court, Tulla was a leading member of the organized drug trafficking group that shipped kilogram quantities of cocaine from Puerto Rico, often mailing drug parcels through the U.S. Postal Service to co-conspirators responsible for selling the cocaine in Western Pennsylvania, Youngstown and elsewhere. 

He also traveled from Puerto Rico to Pennsylvania, including at least 15 trips to Pittsburgh in 2023 to 2024 and elsewhere to facilitate and promote drug trafficking and receiving drug proceeds from other members of the organization. 

Leaders of the drug trafficking organization in Western Pennsylvania, would distribute smaller quantities of the drugs to multiple co-conspirators, including Samuels, to maximize profit.

At least 100 grams of cocaine was attributable to Samuels, who was found during the investigation to frequent the New Castle residence of the drug trafficking organization's local leader. 

Rivetti commended many services for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Tulla and Samuels.