Former Erie Man Charged with Possessing Meth He Brought from Arizona

ERIE, Pa. - A former resident of Erie, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Erie on a charge of violating federal drugs laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

The one-count indictment named Willie C. Sanders III, 33, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment presented to the court, on or about July 20, 2019, Sanders possessed with the intent to distribute five hundred grams or more of methamphetamine which he had brought in a suitcase from Arizona through the Erie Airport.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of life imprisonment, a fine of $10,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Paul S. Sellers is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

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