WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Dominique Lassiter, age 26, of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury for drug trafficking and possession of firearms by a felon.
According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment alleges that Lassiter distributed heroin in Williamsport in September and October 2016. After an investigation by the Lycoming County Narcotics Enforcement Unit, a search of Lassiter’s apartment uncovered a 9mm pistol, 12-gauge shotgun,.308 caliber rifle, heroin packaged for distribution, bulk heroin and cocaine, and items commonly used in drug trafficking such as digital scales and empty packets identical to the filled packets seized.
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 Narcotics Enforcement Unit. The case is assigned to Geoffrey MacArthur for prosecution.
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 to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses
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 with firearms.
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 this offense is 20 years of imprisonment, a term of 3 years’ supervised release following imprisonment, and a $1 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
