Additional Charges Filed Against Two Philadelphia Men For Heroin Introduction At USP Canaa

SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Sable Daniel, age 29, and Russell Whitmore, age 34, both of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, were charged yesterday in a four-count superseding indictment with additional charges that both Daniel and Whitmore conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin, stemming from a delivery of heroin to an inmate at United States Penitentiary, Canaan, (USP Canaan).

According to United States Attorney David Freed, Daniel and Whitmore were originally indicted on December 6, 2016, with charges alleging that Daniel delivered heroin to Whitmore during a visit at USP Canaan.  Daniel is also charged with distribution of heroin and providing an inmate with a contraband narcotic, and Whitmore is charged with possession of contraband narcotic by an inmate.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and officers at USP Canaan.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sean A. Camoni.

This case was brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin.  Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.

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 under federal law for this offense is 20 years of imprisonment, 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.