Johnstown Resident Charged with Crack Cocaine Distribution
U.S. Attorney’s Office August 18, 2009 |
United States Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan announced today, August 18, 2009, that Caron A. Howling, of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Johnstown on charges of distributing cocaine base, commonly known as “crack.”
The two-count indictment named Howling, age 32, as the sole defendant.
According to the indictment presented to the court, on November 12 and November 16, 2007, Howling distributed five grams or more of cocaine base on each date.
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 80 years in prison, a fine of $4,000,000, 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, if any, of the defendant.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Laurel Highlands Resident Agency, the Johnstown Police Department, 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.