A Detroit resident, Christopher Barton, was sentenced on Apr. 7 to five years in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release after being convicted of violating federal narcotics and firearm laws, according to United States Attorney Troy Rivetti.
Barton, age 26, had previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine between August 2023 and August 2024. He also admitted to possessing a firearm after a felony conviction. The sentence was handed down by United States District Judge Robert J. Colville.
Court documents show that Barton participated in a drug trafficking conspiracy based in both Detroit and New Castle, Pennsylvania. He sold controlled substances in the New Castle area as part of this operation. Law enforcement executed a search warrant at a New Castle location on Feb. 7, 2024; Barton was present during the search when two pistols were seized from the premises. Due to prior felony convictions, Barton was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Craig W. Haller. Multiple agencies contributed to the investigation including the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Drug Enforcement Administration; Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General; Lawrence County Drug Task Force; New Castle Police Department; Michigan State Police; Pennsylvania State Police; Mercer County Drug Task Force; United States Postal Inspection Service; Homeland Security Investigations; and Douglas County (Nebraska) Sheriff’s Office.
United States Attorney Rivetti said this prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative established by Executive Order 14159: Protecting the American People Against Invasion. According to Rivetti’s office, “The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad.” The initiative places special emphasis on crimes involving children.
