December 7, 2016 – Commonwealth v Ralph Roberson:  A Harrisburg man plead guilty Wednesday in the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas to Felony drug charges, following an undercover 'buy-bust operation' through the Harrisburg City Police. Ralph L. Roberson, 25, entered his guilty plea before the Dauphin County Judge Scott Arthur Evans to charges of Unlawful Delivery of Heroin, Possession with Intent to Deliver Heroin, and Criminal Use of a Communication Facility.

Roberson sold thirty bags of heroin to confidential informants on March 22, 2016 in the area of 13th and Swatara Streets in Harrisburg.  Roberson was immediately taken into custody after the drug deal.  These type of drug investigations are known as 'buy-bust operations' because the police act immediately after the drug transaction to arrest the drug dealer.  Police officers searched Roberson at the time of his arrest, finding an additional 180 bags of heroin hidden in his underwear.  The drugs were stored in a zip lock bag that was tied around Roberson’s genitals.

Judge Evans sentenced Roberson to 21 to 48 months in state prison.  Deputy District Attorney Ryan P. Shovlin and Senior Deputy District Attorney Stephen R. Zawisky prosecuted the case for the Commonwealth.