Harrisburg Man Charged With Drug Trafficking Offenses

     The United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Nicholas Rivera, 40, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.  The indictment charges Rivera with five counts of Distribution or Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance.

     According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the charges against Rivera are a result of allegations that Rivera was selling cocaine and heroin in Harrisburg from March 2014 through May 2014.

     If convicted, Rivera faces a statutory maximum 20 years’ imprisonment.

     This case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Pennsylvania State Police and the Dauphin County Drug Task Force.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Meredith A. Taylor.

     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.

     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.