JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - Residents of Johnstown, Pa., and Washington, Pa. were indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal narcotics laws and firearms laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
The four-count Indictment named Isiaha Waulk, 24, formerly of Johnstown, Pa., and Derik Carothers, 25, formerly of Washington, Pa., as defendants.
According to the Indictment presented to the court, on or about Oct. 20, 2019, Waulk and Carothers conspired to distribute and possessed with intent to distribute a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine base, in the form commonly known as crack. Further, Waulk and Carothers were found in found in possession of numerous firearms and ammunition. On November 4, 2013, Waulk was convicted in the Cambria County Court of Common Pleas of aggravated assault, and on Jan. 16, 2015 of robbery and aggravated assault, which are crimes punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year. On November 7, 2013, Carothers was convicted in the Cambria County Court of Common Pleas of burglary and carrying a firearm without a license, and on March 20, 2017 of carrying a firearm without a license, also crimes punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year. Federal law prohibits persons who have been convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year from possessing firearms.
The law provides for a maximum sentence of 20 years to life in prison, a fine of $1,500,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
