David Bruce Darby, 46, of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced to life in prison for his role in a drug trafficking operation that resulted in the death of one of his customers.
Darby was convicted in January 2024 following a jury trial in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. The evidence presented at trial, which included an extensive investigation by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, revealed that Darby trafficked oxycodone pills from New York City to the Chambersburg area between 2018 and 2019. He continued his illegal activities even while incarcerated in York County Prison.
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“Biggest Pill Dealer in Chambersburg”
During the trial, the jury heard evidence from intercepted phone calls in which Darby described himself as the “biggest pill dealer in Chambersburg.” He was also convicted of distributing fentanyl-laced pills that led to the death of a customer in August 2019.
United States District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner, who presided over the trial and sentencing, noted that Darby’s criminal history was one of the worst he had encountered in his 23 years on the bench. Darby had multiple prior convictions, including assaults on prison guards.
“This career drug trafficker who prioritized profits over people’s safety will never have another opportunity to inflict harm,” Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry said. “I am thankful for the collaboration with our federal law enforcement partners, which led to a life sentence for someone who ignored numerous prior opportunities to reform his conduct.”
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Darby’s co-defendant, Malik Bonds, was also convicted of drug trafficking in the same trial and was sentenced to 156 months in prison in June 2024.
Heroin Initiative
This case is part of a broader initiative led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office to combat the nationwide heroin epidemic. The Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers in the Middle District of Pennsylvania through coordinated efforts among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.
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