Three Pennsylvania residents were sentenced to federal prison on Thursday, July 24, 2025, for their roles in a massive drug trafficking operation that distributed fentanyl, methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and crack cocaine throughout the Western District of Pennsylvania.
One of the defendants was also sentenced for unlawful possession.
The convicted individuals were convicted and sentenced:
- Azheem Ellis, 49, of Philadelphia, Pa., was sentenced to 96 months (8 years) in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.
- James Dotson, 47, of Johnstown, Pa., received a sentence of 180 months (15 years) in prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release.
- Sandra Box, 59, of East Conemaugh, Pa., was sentenced to 33 months (nearly 3 years) in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.
According to information presented in court, the drug plot lasted from about April 2019 to July 2021. Ellis was implicated in the illegal distribution and possession of large amounts of fentanyl, methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and crack.
Dotson planned to distribute and possess even bigger quantities, including 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, 500 grams or more of a methamphetamine mixture, 28 grams or more of crack, 40 grams or more of fentanyl, and heroin and cocaine. Dotson, who had already been convicted of a felony, again illegally had a handgun in June 2021.
Box was involved in the conspiracy from February to April 2021, distributing and possessing heroin and crack with the purpose to distribute.
The extensive investigation was mainly reliant on a federal wiretap, which intercepted the defendants obtaining and trafficking illegal substances. The wiretap probe focused on Ellis and Dotson as its principal targets.
The government’s case was pursued by Assistant United States Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon.