The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that a Luzerne County man was sentenced to 36 months in prison by District Court Judge James M. Munley on the charge of aiding and abetting the possession and receipt of a stolen firearm.

     According to United States Attorney Peter J. Smith, George Smith, III, age 41, of Luzerne Borough, Luzerne County, who was sentenced today, was one of four individuals previously indicted by a federal grand jury in November 2011, on charges relating to the possession of stolen firearms and heroin trafficking.

     United States Attorney Smith noted that the indictment also charged David Gilliam, age 27, of Forty Fort and Richard Chamberlain, age 37, of Hanover Township with conspiracy to distribute heroin, possession with intent to distribute heroin and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Another individual, Albert Behrmann, age 37, of Larksville was charged with receipt and distribution of three stolen firearms.

     George Smith, III, previously entered a guilty plea to the charge of aiding and abetting the possession and receipt of a stolen firearm before Judge Munley on June 21, 2012, and admitted to assisting in the trade of a stolen firearm to another individual in exchange for a small amount of heroin. The firearm was later recovered by police.

     In addition to the prison term, Judge Munley also ordered that George Smith, III, be supervised by a probation officer for three years following his prison sentence.

     United States Attorney Smith noted that Richard Chamberlain and Albert Behrmann are currently awaiting sentencing, while the charges against David Gilliam are still pending.

     The investigation was the result of a joint investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; the Pennsylvania State Police; the Luzerne County Drug Task Force; and the Kingston and Hanover Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara.

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