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Service Electric franchise contract extended for 10 years in Rice Township

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Federal grand jury indicts Nanticoke man for allegedly making straw purchases of firearms

<p>SCRANTON &#8212; The U.S. Attorney&#8217;s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging a Dominican national in Hazleton with drug trafficking and possessing a firearm in connection with drug trafficking.</p><p>According to a news release, the superseding indictment alleges that 55-year-old Juan Elvis Monsanto, who authorities said used the street name &#8220;Elvi,&#8221; conducted heroin deals on December 15 and January 28. Monsanto allegedly also was in possession of cocaine and more than 50 grams of methamphetamine on February 10, 2016, and allegedly possessed a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.</p><p>The charges against Monsanto resulted from an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Hazleton police, the release said.</p><p>Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa is prosecuting the case, the release said. Officials said the case was part of a district-wide initiative targeting heroin distribution.</p><style>
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<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Travis Kellar</p><p>tkellar@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Travis Kellar at 570-991-6389 or on Twitter @TLNews</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Hazleton resident indicted on charges of drug trafficking, firearm possession