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In October 2018, David Landis, 44, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to import controlled substances, possession, and distributing drugs that resulted in "serious bodily injury," throughout Montgomery County and beyond, according to the U.S Department of Justice.
From 2004 to 2014, Landis worked as a deputy sheriff in East Norriton Township, PhillyVoice reports.
From early 2016 until about March 2017, Landis "conspired and agreed to distribute thousands of packages of narcotics with multiple co-conspirators in China," Acting United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams said.
The co-conspirators – Deyao Chen, Guichun Chen, and Liangtu Pan, all using the alias “Alex” on the internet – offered controlled substances for sale, including furanyl fentanyl, U-47700, and methoxyacetyl fentanyl, federal authorities said.
Of Landis' distribution counts, one count involved the distribution of a synthetic opioid to an individual which resulted in "serious bodily injury," Williams said.
The other distribution counts are related to Landis' distribution of fentanyl to numerous individuals, some of whom overdosed and died with the same substances he distributed in their system, federal authorities said.
“This investigation uncovered illegal drug manufacturers in China who were flooding the United States with poison in the form of deadly opioids,” Williams said.
“The fact that this defendant – a former law enforcement officer – would help them do so is a travesty. Landis sent deadly drugs across this country and abroad, with no regard for the health or safety of others. The community will be a safer place with him behind bars for the foreseeable future.”
Landis' co-conspirators were charged separately and are believed to be at large in China, according to investigators.
He was sentenced to 15 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a special assessment of $6,300, authorities said.
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