Two Charged with Hiding a Fugitive

ERIE, Pa. - Two former residents of Erie, Pennsylvania have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Erie on charges of concealing a person from arrest and accessory after the fact, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

The two-count indictment, returned on Nov. 10 and unsealed today, named Damonique Shakara Henderson, 23, and Sasia V. Jones, 28, as defendants.

According to the indictment presented to the court, between Feb. 26, 2015 and May 20, 2015, Henderson and Jones harbored and concealed Ricky Rashad Pullium, a person who had an outstanding arrest warrant for a charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, in order to prevent the discovery and arrest of Pullium. Henderson and Jones are also charged with being accessories after the fact by receiving, relieving, comforting and assisting Pullium in order to hinder and prevent Pullium’s apprehension, trial and punishment. According to information presented to the Court, the defendants are alleged to have harbored Pullium fully knowing that he was wanted on the federal charges, in part, by renting a vehicle for him, transporting him out of the Erie area to prevent his discovery and arrest, and by providing further assistance to Pullium in order to hinder his apprehension.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $375,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendants.

Assistant United States Attorney Marshall J. Piccinini is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The United States Marshals Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, 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.