Judge Sentences 'Biggest Pill Dealer in Chambersburg' to Life in Prison

HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that David Bruce Darby, age 46, of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on October 22, 2024, to life in prison by United States District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner for drug trafficking, money laundering, and weapons offenses.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Darby was convicted by a jury after a trial which Judge Conner presided over in January 2024. Judge Conner referred to the evidence presented at that trial when he sentenced him. The trial evidence included an extensive investigation of Darby and his drug trafficking crew by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. Darby brought in oxycodone pills from New York City and reselling them in the Chambersburg area from 2018 to 2019. Darby continued to sell drugs while he was incarcerated in York County Prison. The jury heard evidence that police monitored Darby's telephone calls, during which Darby described himself as "the biggest pill dealer in Chambersburg." Darby was also convicted of delivering fentanyl laced pills that killed one of his customers in August of 2019.

Judge Conner noted that Darby's criminal history was one of the worst he had seen in 23-years on the bench. Darby's criminal history also involved multiple criminal convictions for assaulting 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."

Co-defendant Malik Bonds was also convicted of drug trafficking at the same trial. On June 17, 2024, Judge Conner sentenced Bonds to 156 months in prison.

The case was investigated by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Franklin County Drug Task Force, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Smulktis and Assistant United States Attorney Michael Consiglio are prosecuting the case.

This case was brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. Led by the United States Attorney's Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.

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