Merrick B. Garland, Attorney General | https://www.justice.gov/
Merrick B. Garland, Attorney General | https://www.justice.gov/
A woman from Johnstown, Pennsylvania, has admitted guilt in a federal court to charges related to narcotics trafficking. Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced the development.
Sandra Box, aged 59, pleaded guilty to Count One of the Superseding Indictment on March 19, 2025, before United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan. The court was informed that between February and April 2021, Box conspired with others to distribute and possess heroin and crack cocaine in the Western District of Pennsylvania. Federal wiretaps captured Box acquiring drugs for distribution.
Judge Horan has scheduled sentencing for July 24, 2025. The law stipulates a potential maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million. However, the actual sentence will depend on the severity of the offense and Box's criminal history.
Assistant United States Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon is handling the prosecution. The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Laurel Highlands Resident Agency and Homeland Security Investigations. Other agencies involved include several local police departments and federal agencies such as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) initiative aimed at dismantling high-level drug traffickers and criminal organizations through a collaborative approach involving multiple law enforcement agencies.
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