HARRISBURG, PA — Stanley Sabatel, a key figure in a drug trafficking ring operating out of Luzerne County, was convicted by a jury of multiple felony charges, including conspiracy to deliver methamphetamine and possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine. Sabatel, 26, will serve a prison sentence of between 16 ½ to 33 years after the jury found him guilty of numerous offenses tied to his role as a major supplier of methamphetamine to street-level dealers.
Attorney General Michelle Henry announced the conviction following a week-long trial in Luzerne County, where Sabatel was convicted on charges that included conspiracy to deliver methamphetamine, conspiracy to possess with intent to deliver methamphetamine, and conspiracy to commit robbery. His bail was revoked immediately after the verdict, and he was remanded to prison to await sentencing on November 27.
“This defendant was at the top of a methamphetamine trafficking operation that was poisoning neighborhoods throughout Luzerne County,” said Attorney General Henry. “The jury’s verdict reflects the hard work and determination of law enforcement in our ongoing fight against drug trafficking and its impact on our communities.”
Sabatel was identified as a key supplier to mid- and upper-level drug dealers in the area. Evidence presented during the trial showed that Sabatel and a co-conspirator were regularly providing large quantities of methamphetamine—often in pounds—to the trafficking organization, which distributed the drug across Luzerne County.
The case stemmed from a joint investigation between the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Pennsylvania State Police, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and local law enforcement agencies including the Hazleton Police Department and Butler Township Police Department.
“Through the collaborative efforts of our law enforcement partners, we were able to take down a significant drug trafficker who was responsible for distributing dangerous substances throughout our community,” said Attorney General Henry. “This conviction and upcoming sentence are an important step in making our neighborhoods safer.”
The case was prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Michelle Hardik, Chief Deputy Attorney General Angela Sperrazza, and Deputy Attorney General Thomas Hogans. They highlighted the importance of continued collaboration among state and federal agencies to dismantle drug trafficking operations and bring those responsible to justice.
Sabatel’s conviction is part of a broader effort to combat drug-related crimes in Pennsylvania, especially the growing presence of methamphetamine in communities. With this sentence, authorities hope to send a clear message to those involved in the drug trade that there will be significant consequences for their actions.
