Zachery P. Stoss, 25, Harrisburg, was sentenced yesterday by the Honorable Judge John F. Cherry to 10-20 years in a state penitentiary for delivering drugs to two Dauphin County residents that resulted in their deaths.  The Commonwealth charged that in 2013, the defendant delivered heroin to a 23 year old female resulting in her overdose death.  In April of 2014, a second individual, a 23 year old male, died of a heroin overdose after being delivered drugs by the defendant.  Through an extensive investigation by Lower Paxton Township Police; the Dauphin County Drug Task Force; and DEA, it was determined that the deaths were attributable to the drug activity of Stoss.  As a result, the defendant was charged with two counts of drug delivery resulting in death and two counts of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance.   Chief Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Gettle handled the prosecution of Mr. Stoss. Prior to imposing the sentence, Judge Cherry heard the emotional impact statements of friends and family members of the deceased.  All expressed that the victims have paid the ultimate sacrifice for their own decisions to use drugs, but asked the Court to also hold the defendant accountable for his actions that led to their deaths.  While the defendant apologized for his actions, Judge Cherry indicated that the sentence needed to reflect the devastation that drug dealing causes within our society. Mr. Stoss is represented by attorney Roger Laguna.

Affiants Det. Jeffrey Corcoran and Det. Gary Flythe of Lower Paxton Township Police Department.