Johnstown Man Charged with Distribution of Crack Cocaine
| U.S. Attorney’s Office November 17, 2009 |
Acting United States Attorney Robert S. Cessar announced today, November 17, 2009, that Maurice Larmont Taylor, of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Johnstown on charges of distribution of cocaine base, commonly known as “crack.”
The indictment named Taylor, age 30, as the sole defendant.
According to the indictment presented to the court, on August 26, 2009, September 3, 2009, and September 24, 2009, Taylor distributed less than five grams of cocaine base on each of those dates.
Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie L. Haines, who presented the case to the grand jury, indicated the law provides for a maximum total sentence of 60 years in prison, a fine of $3,000,000, 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 of the defendant.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Laurel Highlands Resident Agency, and the Cambria County Drug Task Force conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.