May 12, 2015

Blain Pennsylvania Resident Charged with Distribution of Heroin in Federal Prison Facility

WILLIAMSPORT—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that a criminal drug distribution charge has been filed against Lindalee Middleton of Blain, Pennsylvania.

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Middleton, age 56, is charged with attempting to distribute heroin to an inmate at USP Allenwood during a visit on March 15, 2014. The government also filed a plea agreement in the case, which must be approved by the court.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, Special Investigative Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Wayne Samuelson is prosecuting the case.

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 is 20 years of 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.