ERIE, Pa. – A resident of Erie, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 36 months in jail on his conviction of violating federal drug laws, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.

Senior United States District Judge David S. Cercone imposed the sentence on David Aranda, 24.

According to information presented to the court, on or about August 25, 2021, Aranda attempted to possess with intent to distribute 368 grams, an estimated 3,000 to 3,500 counterfeit blue pills, comprised of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl.

Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Cercone stated that fentanyl “is a scourge of this country” and noted the dramatically increased potency of the fentanyl pills in comparison to the prescription pills they are designed to mimic. “People are dying everyday by what you’re doing,” Judge Cercone stated to Aranda.

Assistant United States Attorney Paul S. Sellers prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

United States Attorney Chung commended the United States Postal Inspection Service, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Pennsylvania State Police Northwest Strike Force for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Aranda.