HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Benny Rodall, age 48, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was indicted on Nov. 22, 2017, by a federal grand jury with unlawful possession of a firearm and drug distribution,
According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment alleges that on or about July 15, 2017, Rodall unlawfully possessed a Smith and Wesson 38 Special firearm with an obliterated serial number as a previously convicted felon. Rodall is also charged with possessing the firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, also known as crack cocaine, heroin, and clonazepam pills on July 15, 2017.
The case was investigated by the Harrisburg Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney James T. Clancy is prosecuting the case.
This case was 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.
This case was also 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.
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 unlawful possession of firearm by a previously convicted felon is 10 years in prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. The maximum penalty for possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number is 5 years in prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. The maximum penalty for possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking is life in prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. The maximum penalty for possession with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine base is 20 years in prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. The maximum penalty for possession with intent to distribute clonazepam is 5 years in prison, 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
