Indictment Charges Two In Gun Conspiracy

PHILADELPHIA - Emilio Alvarez, 29, and Roberto Santiago, 33, both of Reading, Pennsylvania, were charged by Indictment, unsealed today, with conspiracy, dealing in firearms without a license, providing firearms to a convicted felon, and possession of stolen firearms, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger and Berks County district Attorney John T. Adams. 

If convicted, defendant Alvarez faces a maximum statutory sentence of 40 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of up to $1.25 million, and $500 special assessment; defendant Santiago faces a maximum statutory sentence of 30 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of up to $1 million, and a $400 special assessment.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Allentown Resident Agency, the Reading Police Department, and the Berks County District Attorney’s Office, with assistance from the Pennsylvania State Police and the U.S. Marshals Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joseph A. LaBar and Special Assistant United States Attorney Jesse Leisawitz.

An Indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.