SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Larry Gilliam, age 36, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania was indicted on Aug. 29, 2017, by a federal grand jury for carefentail and heroin trafficking as well as possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking.
According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment alleges that Gilliam sold heroin laced with carfentanil on July 19 and 21, 2017, and possessed with intent to distribute carfentanil and heroin on July 22, 2017. The indictment also alleges that Gilliam possessed three firearms in furtherance of his drug trafficking activity. Gilliam is also charged with unlawfully possessing an AK-47 pistol, a Springfield semi-automatic pistol and a Smith and Wesson semi-automatic pistol as a previously convicted felon.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Kingston and Wilkes-Barre Police Departments. Assistant United States Attorney Evan Gotlob is prosecuting the case.
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 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 life imprisonment, 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
