HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that a Chambersburg man has been indicted by a grand jury in Harrisburg on federal drug trafficking and firearm charges.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Quinton Noel Gordon, age 36, of Chambersburg, was charged with being a convicted felon illegally in possession of a loaded.45 caliber handgun, possession of cocaine hydrochloride, heroin, crack cocaine with the intent to distribute, and with possession of the handgun in furtherance of drug trafficking.
The charges arise out of the arrest of Gordon on June 1, 2016 in connection with a search at his residence in Chambersburg. That search led to the recovery of cocaine hydrochloride, crack cocaine, approximately 2 ounces of unpackaged heroin and the loaded.45 caliber handgun.
The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Franklin County Drug Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William A. Behe.
This case was 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.
This case was also 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.
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 for the drug charge is 20 years imprisonment. The felon in possession of a firearm count of the indictment carries a 10 year term of imprisonment. The charge of possessing a firearm to further drug trafficking is punishable by up to life imprisonment and by a mandatory minimum consecutive sentence of 5 years imprisonment. Each count of conviction also includes a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a 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
