Published: April 16, 2009 11:23 pm      

Heroin dealer gets more jail time

Everett man involved in Bedford County’s largest drug-trafficking ring

BEDFORD, Pa. — An Everett man that prosecutors said was involved in the largest heroin drug-trafficking operation in Bedford County has received more prison time, in addition to a 9- to 20-year prison term he received last January.

James Anderson, 27, was sentenced Tuesday to an additional 17 to 34 years incarceration to be served consecutive to his previous sentence. His total period of incarceration will be 26 to 54 years in state prison.

The convictions for which Anderson were sentenced Tuesday stemmed from drug charges committed while he was free on bail in his prior drug case and a solicitation of murder charge committed while he was incarcerated on his second round of drug charges, according to Bedford County District Attorney Bill Higgins.

The first drug case Anderson was sentenced on was from a controlled purchase of heroin on Feb. 7, 2008, at Anderson’s residence on Black Valley Road.

On that date, a confidential information purchased .78 grams of heroin from Anderson.

The following day, the Bedford County Drug Task Force along with members of the Pennsylvania State Police and its Special Emergency Response Team executed a search warrant at Anderson’s residence. A total of 232.03 grams of heroin along with drug paraphernalia items were found and seized by police.

On March 18, 2008, while Anderson was jailed in Bedford County, he learned the identity of the confidential informant in his drug case. Anderson then put a hit out on the informant by sending a letter to his brother instructing him or someone else to get a lethal dose of heroin to the confidential informant.

At Tuesday’s sentencing, Assistant District Attorney Travis Livengood argued for the maximum sentence on the three cases — 25 to 50 years on top of Anderson’s time of 9 to 20 years he was already serving.

Livengood cited the defendant’s lack of remorse, his extensive involvement in drug trafficking and his recruitment and exploitation of his siblings in the drug trade.

“Extraordinary criminals deserve extraordinary sentences. Being out on bail with criminal charges pending did not deter this drug dealer, nor did jail prevent him from putting a hit out on a witness in the case. Keeping him behind bars is the only way we can ensure he is no longer in business and a threat to our community,” said Livengood.

Higgins commended Livengood and the Bedford County Drug Task Force on the convictions and the sentence.

“James Anderson was an individual who has been on our radar screen since I took office in 2004. This sentence sends a very clear message to Bedford County drug dealers — we know who you are, and we are working tirelessly to bring you to justice. We already know that James Anderson’s customers have found new suppliers, and we know exactly who those suppliers are, and it is only a matter of time until they join Anderson in prison,” said Higgins.

With the conclusion of Anderson’s criminal cases, the District Attorney’s Office is now proceeding along with the Attorney General’s Office in the forfeiture of more than $80,000 in cash, vehicles, personal property and other assets that were seized in the two search warrants on Anderson’s home and are alleged to be proceeds from his heroin operation.