The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today the return of a 12-count second superseding indictment by a federal grand jury in Williamsport on November 26 charging the following Williamsport and Philadelphia men with conspiracy to distribute heroin, crack cocaine, and cocaine and other drug distribution and firearms violations:

Batten, Shockley, and Jones were indicted previously in September 2014. The superseding indictment includes a new co-defendant, Maliki Chapman, who is charged with conspiring with the other defendants to distribute heroin, crack cocaine, and cocaine powder.

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the indictment alleges that from January 2010 through the date of the indictment the co-conspirators distributed heroin, crack cocaine, and cocaine to drug users and sellers in Williamsport and in Lycoming and Tioga Counties.

The five men, who were known as the “Tat-Gang,” allegedly used mobile phones, social media, three addresses in Williamsport, and multiple motor vehicles in their drug distribution activities. The co-conspirators allegedly bought, sold, traded, and possessed firearms in exchange for cash and controlled substances and to facilitate the distribution of controlled substances.

Shockley and Singletary are also charged with illegal possession of firearms, and Shockley is charged with using and carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. Allegations in indictment also seek forfeiture of two firearms and proceeds from the criminal offenses totaling $1.75 million.

The case was investigated by the Williamsport Bureau of Police, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney George J. Rocktashel.

If convicted of the conspiracy and drug distribution offenses charged in the indictment, the defendants face a maximum penalty of life in prison, a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years’ imprisonment, a maximum fine of $10 million, and a supervised release term of at least five years. In addition Shockley faces a consecutive mandatory five-year prison term if convicted of using and carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.

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 guilty is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

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.