Indictments Charging Twenty-Three People With Drug Trafficking

     The United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District Pennsylvania announced the filing of indictments returned by a federal grand jury in Scranton on May 21 and June 4, 2013, charging a total of 23 persons with offenses related to trafficking in controlled substances, including heroin. 

     According to United States Attorney Peter J. Smith, the indictments resulted from lengthy investigations by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, Pennsylvania State Police, Wilkes-Barre City Police Department, and the Hanover Township Police Department into drug trafficking organizations involved in heroin distribution in the City of Wilkes-Barre.   

     The following individuals were indicted for their alleged roles in drug trafficking conspiracies and related offenses: Corey Arnott, 21, Ashlee, PA; Marvin Fitts, 37, Archbald, PA; Angelo Hardy, 41, Hanover Township, PA; Dawan Ingram, 25, Wilkes-Barre, PA; Lamar Johnson, age unknown, Wilkes-Barre, PA; Michael Scott, 21, Wilkes-Barre, PA; Dwayne Webb, age unknown, Wilkes-Barre, PA; Anthony Wilson, 25, Wilkes-Barre, PA; Anthony Rajohn Wilson, 31, Wilkes-Barre, PA; Derrick Wilson, 36, Edwardsville, PA; Lamont Wilson, 32, Wilkes-Barre, PA; Steven Wilson, 24, Glen Lyon, PA; William Wilson, 54, Edwardsville, PA; Teresa Bradigan, 31, Scranton, PA; Alejandro Delrosario, 28, Butler Township, PA; Christopher Gayton, 31, Wilkes-Barre, PA; Zackarae Lowe, 31, Wilkes-Barre, PA; Justin Murphy, 29, Scranton, PA; Richard Murphy, 30, Maryland; Damon Murray, 35, Wilkes-Barre, PA; Michael Murray, 36, Maryland; William Patterson, 30, Wilkes-Barre, PA; and Ashlee Taylor, 27, Maryland.

     “Today, a big step has been taken to make Wilkes-Barre a safer place” said Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge, David G. Dongilli.  The DEA, along with local, state and federal counterparts culminated a six-month long investigation of a violent heroin and cocaine drug trafficking organization operating throughout the region.  SAC Dongilli further stated, “The DEA will bring every resource at our disposal to pursue and bring to justice those who, without conscience distribute this poison into our communities”.

     Prosecution is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney William S. Houser.

     Indictments 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 these particular cases, the statutory maximum penalty for the most serious offenses charged against some defendants is life imprisonment and a fine. Some defendants also face mandatory minimum periods of incarceration of ten years. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is 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.

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