PRESS RELEASE 3.28.2025 - DRUG TRAFFICKING INDICTMENT

SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Eli Valentine Calero, age 43, of East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury on a drug trafficking charge. 

According to Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment alleges that on March 12, 2025, in Monroe County, Calero possessed over 500 grams of methamphetamine and an amount of cocaine for distribution. 

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Pocono Mountain Police Department and the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenny P. Roberts is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is lifetime imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.