WILLIAMSPORT. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that two Williamsport men were indicted today by a federal grand jury for narcotics trafficking and possession of firearms in furtherance of their drug trade.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the grand jury alleges that Anthony Gaskin, age 24, and Ibrahim Stevens, age 25, possessed crack cocaine and heroin in a Williamsport apartment. These narcotics were found in a 2014 surveillance and investigation of the apartment by Williamsport police that also uncovered 3 unlicensed handguns and equipment and materials to weigh and package the drugs.
Both Gaskin and Stevens face charges of Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances, Possession with the Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances, Possession of a Firearm in Drug Trafficking and Possession of a Stolen Firearm. Gaskin also faces a count of Possession of a Firearm by a Felon.
The charges stem from an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives(ATF), the Williamsport Bureau of Police, and the Lycoming County District Attorney’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Geoffrey MacArthur.
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 40 years of imprisonment, a term of 4 years’ supervised release following imprisonment, and a $5 million dollar 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.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
