A Columbia man was sentenced Tuesday to 9 ½ to 20 years in state prison by Lancaster County Judge Merrill Spahn.

Ismael Rosario, 27 of the 1800 block of Franklin Street, was convicted by jury in November of person not to possess a firearm – a first degree felony.

Rosario was found guilty by Judge Spahn during a bench trial Tuesday of three felony counts of possession with intent to deliver crack cocaine, cocaine, and methamphetamine and firearms not to be carried without a license before sentencing occurred. The defendant was also found guilty of misdemeanor counts of possessing marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

On June 21, 2021, members of the Lancaster City Bureau of Police conducted a drug detail utilizing undercover officers and confidential informants.

Undercover officers arranged a purchase of $100 worth of narcotics from Rosario and another individual who were inside a white Acura sedan in the 400 block of S. Christian Street in Lancaster city.

Officers detained the vehicle and found Rosario in possession of a Taurus PT111 Pro 9mm handgun and sitting on an extended magazine. Rosario did not have a valid license to carry a concealed firearm. Further investigation revealed Rosario is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to previous convictions.

Officers also discovered that Rosario was in possession of a quantity of methamphetamine pills, over two grams of powder cocaine and $166 in U.S. currency in his pockets.

A subsequent search warrant was executed on the Acura and officers located over a hundred methamphetamine pills of the same type on Rosario as well as marijuana and various packaging materials.

First Deputy District Attorney Cody Wade prosecuted the case.

Lancaster City Bureau of Police Officer Timothy Sinnott filed charges.

MEDIA CONTACT: Sean McBryan, semcbryan@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @SeanMcBryanLanc.