Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Isaac Sheppard, age 25, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury for possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

According to U.S. Attorney David J. Freed, the indictment alleges that Sheppard possessed with the intent to distribute cocaine base and marijuana on December 7, 2017 in Harrisburg. The indictment also alleges that Sheppard unlawfully possessed a .40 caliber, Glock handgun in furtherance of drug trafficking and as a convicted felon.

The matter was investigated by the Harrisburg Police Bureau and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott R. Ford is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

Indictments 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 for this offense is up to life in prison, 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.

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