Philadelphia Brothers Charged with Violating Federal Drug and Gun Laws

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Two residents of Philadelphia, Pa., were indicted on July 9, 2019, by a federal grand jury in Johnstown on charges of violating federal narcotics and firearms laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

The six-count first superseding indictment named brothers John T. Terry, 44, and Gerald Terry, 50, as defendants.

According to the first superseding indictment presented to the court, between March 30, 2018, and April 4, 2018, John Terry and Gerald Terry conspired to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute more than 500 grams of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine and cocaine. Also, on April 4, 2018, they were found in possession of a loaded Smith & Wesson M&P Shield .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol. On June 2, 1998, John Terry was convicted in United States District Court for the Eastern District of PA, of interference with interstate commerce by robbery, which is a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year. On March 13, 2012, Gerald Terry was convicted in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County, PA, of aggravated assault, which is a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year. Federal law prohibits persons who have been convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year from possessing firearms. John Terry and Gerald Terry are also charged with possessing that same firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

The law provides for a maximum sentence of life in prison and a fine of up to $31,000,000 or both for each of the defendants. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed on each of the defendants would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendants.

Assistant United States Attorney Arnold Bernard, Jr. is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Laurel Highlands Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police SHIELD Unit and Somerset Turnpike Barracks conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of John Terry and Gerald Terry.