The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, announced today that a 57 year old native and citizen of Guyana in the United States illegally has been charged with possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, using, carrying, or possessing a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

     According to United States Attorney Peter J. Smith, Augustine DeCruz, was charged in a three-count indictment by a federal grand jury in Harrisburg yesterday.

     The indictment alleges that DeCruz knowingly and intentionally possessed with the intent to distribute cocaine hydrochloride and more than 28 grams of cocaine base, also known as crack cocaine in Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania.

    If convicted, DeCruz faces a term of imprisonment of up to 55 years and fines of more than $750,000.

     This investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Pennsylvania State Police. The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Brian G. McDonnell.

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An Indictment or Information is not evidence of guilt but simply a description of the charge made by the Grand Jury and/or United States Attorney against a defendant. A charged Defendant is presumed innocent until a jury returns a unanimous finding that the United States has proven the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt or until the defendant has pled guilty to the charges.

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