A Lancaster man will serve up to 20 years in prison for heroin dealing – including a sale last year that caused a man’s fatal overdose.
Joseph “Rico” Colomba, 19, recently pleaded guilty to felony drug delivery resulting in death and several other charges related to heroin dealing.
In exchange for the plea, Colomba will serve 8 to 20 years in prison, in accordance with an agreement arranged by Assistant District Attorney Mark Fetterman.
Investigators determined Colomba had been selling heroin branded, “New Times,” from his New Dorwart Street home.
After one sale, in December 2016, a 29-year-old Millersville man died in East Hempfield Township. An autopsy showed the victim’s death was caused by heroin and fentanyl.
The “New Times” branded baggies were found at the overdose scene. Police found an additional 1,232 bags of the branded heroin at Colomba’s home.
In court, the victim’s brother and grandfather spoke, saying Colomba did it all just for a quick profit, according to Fetterman.
Lancaster County Judge Donald Totaro echoed that and asked Colomba if he had a conscience.
East Hempfield Township police Detective Matthew Pohle filed charges regarding the overdose. Lancaster County Drug Task Force filed other charges and assisted in the overdose investigation.
As part of sentence, Colomba also was ordered to pay $13,751 in restitution.
MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @BrettHambright