Drug Trafficking Indictment Unsealed -- Members Of Williamsport Heroin And Crack Distribution Network In Federal Custody

     The United States Attorney’s Office today announced the unsealing of an 11-count indictment by the federal grand jury in Harrisburg charging the following Williamsport and Philadelphia men with conspiracy to distribute heroin, crack cocaine, and cocaine and other drug distribution charges:

Defendant                                         Age           Recent Address
MALIK S. HANNIBAL,             29            Williamsport
aka “Snow”

ARNELL A. MONROE,           32            Williamsport
aka “Jigga”
aka “Andre Duckett”

LAMONT CHYANNE BLOUNT,  21            Philadelphia
aka “Mont”

JOEY LEHIGH ELMORE,     24            Philadelphia
aka “Yolo”

DERRICK MALIK SAVAGE,   20            Philadelphia 
aka “Maybach”

ZURIEL AHKI LOVE,       18            Philadelphia
aka “Poppy”

     The indictment was returned in Harrisburg on November 20, 2013, but had been sealed pending the arrest of all the co-defendants.  According to United States Attorney Peter J. Smith, the indictment alleges that from November 2012 through the date of the indictment the co-conspirators distributed heroin, crack cocaine, and cocaine to drug users and sellers in Williamsport and Lycoming and Tioga Counties.

     The indictment alleges that the co-defendants were known as the “Tat-Gang” and used mobile phones, social media, two addresses in Williamsport, and multiple motor vehicles to facilitate drug distribution activities.  The indictment also alleges that the co-conspirators bought, sold, traded, and possessed firearms in exchange for cash and controlled substances and to facilitate the distribution of controlled substances.

     Codefendants Savage and Blount were arrested this week:  Philadelphia Police officers arrested Blount in Philadelphia during the evening of January 15, 2014.  The Pennsylvania State Police arrested Savage in the early morning hours of January 16, 2014 on Interstate 80, near the Interstate 81 exit.  Members of the FBI and Williamsport Bureau of Police arrested Hannibal, Monroe and Elmore shortly after the indictment on November 20, 2013, and they arrested Zuriel Love on December 20, 2014.  All six codefendants have been detained pending trial or pending detention hearings.

     If convicted of the conspiracy and drug distribution offenses charged in the indictment, the defendants face a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison, a mandatory minimum sentence of five years’ imprisonment, a maximum fine of $5 million, and a supervised release term of at least four years.

     The case was investigated by the Williamsport Bureau of Police, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Prosecution is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney George J. Rocktashel.  Mr. Smith expressed thanks to the Philadelphia Police Department and United States Marshals Service for their assistance in apprehending the co-defendants.

     Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

     A sentence following a finding of guilty is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

     In this case, the maximum penalty under the federal statute is 40 years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant’s educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.