SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Craig Lee Hickson, age 36, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on September 30, 2026, to 135 months’ imprisonment by United States District Judge Julia K. Munley for attempted possession with intent to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, in February 2025 law enforcement executed a search warrant at a residence in Wilkes-Barre and discovered a package containing 4.5 kilograms of methamphetamine and 12 firearms, including a stolen firearm. Evidence revealed that the methamphetamine was intended for Hickson for further distribution and the firearms also belonged to Hickson. At the time, Hickson was not legally authorized to possess firearms because of prior felony convictions. Homeland Security Investigations and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Bureau of Narcotics Investigations, investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Jenny P. Roberts prosecuted the case.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.# # #