Williamsport Man Indicted For Heroin Trafficking

WILLIAMSPORT -  The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a Williamsport man was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury for heroin trafficking and the illegal possession of a firearm.

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the grand jury alleges that Braheem Johnson, age 27, engaged in multiple deliveries of heroin in Williamsport in 2015.  A search of Johnson’s apartment in May 2015 uncovered a supply of over 1000 packets of heroin bundled for distribution to others.  Also recovered was an unlicensed .22 caliber handgun which Johnson was prohibited from possessing under Federal law.

The charges stem from an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Williamsport Bureau of Police, and the Lycoming County District Attorney’s Office. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey MacArthur.

This case was brought as part of the Violent Crime Reduction Partnership (“VCRP”), a district wide initiative to combat the spread of violent crime in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the VCRP consists of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies whose mission is to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit violent crimes.

This case was also brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the heroin initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.

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 guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

The maximum penalty under federal law is up to life imprisonment, a term of three years supervised release following imprisonment, and a $1,000,000 fine. 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.

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