Luzerne County Man Sentenced to 148 Months in Prison for Drug Trafficking and Dog Fighting

SCRANTON- The United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Brandon Crum, 40, of Hazle Township, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on November 5, 2026, to 148 months' imprisonment by Senior United States District Judge Robert D. Mariani for drug trafficking and dog fighting offenses.

According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, Crum previously pleaded guilty to distributing methamphetamine and possessing and training animals to participate in an animal fighting venture, namely, dog fighting. The case arose from a drug investigation in which Crum distributed significant quantities of methamphetamine. Law enforcement subsequently executed a search warrant at Crum's residence in Hazle Township, at which they found approximately 21 pitbull-type dogs spread throughout the house and backyard in separate cages.

During the search warrant, law enforcement seized numerous items indicative of organized dog fighting, including dog training equipment, such as a weighted collar, a treadmill, and a spring pole. In addition, law enforcement seized several items used to treat dog fighting injuries, such as numerous IV fluid bags, surgical sutures, and other wound care paraphernalia. A subsequent veterinarian examination of the animals revealed at least eight dogs had wounds and scaring consistent with organized dog fighting.

In imposing the 148-month sentence, Judge Mariani described the defendant's dog fighting crimes as "outrageous, inhumane, savage."

Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice's nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys' offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department's commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump's Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Pennsylvania State Police investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Kyle A. Moreno prosecuted the case.

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