Three Philadelphia Men Indicted On Drug Trafficking And Firearm Violations

HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Franklin Sael Gonzalez, age 25, Ricardo Batista, age 22, and Tazwell Berrios, age 22, all of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, were indicted by a federal grand jury on drug trafficking and firearms charges. 

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that Gonzalez, Batista, and Berrios conspired to distribute, and possess with the intent to distribute, more than 40 grams of fentanyl, and cocaine, between October 10 and 15, 2022, in Lebanon, Pennsylvania.  The indictment also alleges that Gonzalez, Batista, and Berrios possessed a FN Five-seveN MK2P, 5.7 x 28 mm pistol during and in relation to their drug trafficking activities.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney David C. Williams is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

The maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is lifetime imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

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