A North Carolina man will serve the next two decades in federal prison for his role in a multi-state drug trafficking and money laundering operation that sent huge amounts of illegal narcotics into northeastern Pennsylvania.
Federal prosecutors said Joseph Ashley Dickenson, 47, of Charlotte, was sentenced to 20 years in prison on December 18, 2025, by U.S. District Judge Malachy E. Mannion after being convicted of cocaine trafficking and related financial crimes.
According to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Dickenson distributed cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl alongside many others between January and early May 2023.
The investigation revealed that on May 4, 2023, investigators intercepted a shipment carrying one kilogram of cocaine destined for a co-conspirator in Dickson City, Lackawanna County. The next day, law officials seized an additional 4.4 kilograms of methamphetamine sent to the same individual.
Search warrants conducted at Dickenson’s Charlotte business and residence resulted in the finding of more than 500 grams of fentanyl, as well as marijuana and MDMA, according to authorities. Investigators also discovered seven guns, two of which had been reported stolen.
Financial records reviewed during the investigation showed Dickenson received nearly $50,000 in drug proceeds, authorities said.
Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case, while Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenny P. Roberts prosecuted it.