Williamsport, Pa. — A jury swiftly convicted Sean Patrick Ford of selling fentanyl to undercover informants during a trial that lasted just five hours. The jury, comprising five women and 11 men, delivered the unanimous verdict after a brief 15-minute deliberation.
Ford, 56, was found guilty of multiple drug-related charges, including two counts of selling fentanyl and illegal use of a cellphone. Following the ruling, his bail was revoked, and he was taken into custody. The case centered around controlled buys of fentanyl from Ford in January 2022, facilitated by a confidential informant who tragically passed away in December.
In her opening statements, Assistant District Attorney Lindsay Sweeley described the case as “straightforward.” She relied heavily on the testimony of four Lycoming County drug detectives and a middleman dealer, presenting evidence that connected Ford to the sale of fentanyl. Sweeley meticulously laid out the prosecution’s case, showcasing photographs, videos, and physical evidence of the drugs involved.
Detective Tyson Havens, the lead investigator, took the stand first. He recounted his role during two controlled purchases where Ford was the target. Havens spent over three hours giving testimony, detailing how he monitored the informant as she met with Ford to complete the transaction. He described how he observed the interaction through binoculars, provided the informant with marked cash, and confirmed she returned with fentanyl.
During the trial, Havens testified that after the initial drug buy, Ford communicated with the informant to arrange additional fentanyl. The dealer, who acted as a middleman, corroborated this by identifying Ford as the person who processed the transaction. Sweeley supported their testimonies by matching images of Ford with those captured in surveillance footage, establishing his connection to the drug deals.
Further testimony revealed that Ford was tracked as he and the informant ventured to a trailer park to acquire more fentanyl. Witnesses described seeing another person deliver the drugs to Ford in exchange for cash. One of the participants involved in the sale testified against Ford, reinforcing the prosecution’s arguments.
The defense attorney, Giovanna Daniele, attempted to challenge the credibility of law enforcement witnesses during cross-examination. She questioned Havens about a possible misidentification of a different suspect a month prior. However, he maintained that Ford shared the same social circles as that individual.
Additional witnesses from the narcotics team, including Detectives Sarah Edkins, Curt Laudenslager, and Robert Anderson, each corroborated the evidence against Ford. They described their surveillance activities and confirmed seeing Ford in connection to the drug transactions.
In closing, Sweeley emphasized the weight of the evidence presented, which included photographs and firsthand accounts that depicted Ford’s actions unambiguously. The jury, after receiving instructions that took longer than their deliberation, returned with their verdict.
Ford’s extensive criminal history, which includes a previous escape conviction, contributed to the gravity of the current charges. The swift verdict underscores the ongoing efforts in Williamsport to combat the opioid crisis exacerbated by fentanyl distribution.
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