A federal grand jury has indicted Rasheek Blackstone, a 35-year-old resident of Steelton, Pennsylvania, on charges related to methamphetamine trafficking. The announcement was made by the United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam stated that Blackstone is charged with one count of distributing and possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine in Dauphin County. The indictment follows an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Harrisburg Police Organized Crime and Vice Control Unit. Assistant United States Attorney Michael Scalera will be prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program designed to reduce violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. The Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy on May 26, 2021, aimed at strengthening PSN with core principles such as fostering community trust, supporting violence prevention organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring results.
Under federal law, Blackstone faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in prison if found guilty. The maximum penalty could be life imprisonment, along with supervised release and fines. Sentencing would occur following a conviction and would consider federal sentencing statutes and guidelines.
It is important to note that indictments are merely allegations. All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.