HARRISBURG — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle), published as received.

HARRISBURG- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a York City man was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Yvette Kane in Harrisburg, for selling drugs and possessing weapons in October 2013.

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the defendant, Brandon Dawson, age 31, or York, previously was indicted for drug trafficking and weapons offenses arising from an October 23, 2013, search warrant executed by the York City Police Department at Dawson’s Cottage Place apartment. During the search of the apartment, police recovered heroin, marijuana packaged for sale, drug distribution materials, and a stolen Colt .45 semiautomatic pistol. Dawson entered a guilty plea to drug trafficking and possession of a stolen firearm. Dawson was sentenced by Judge Kane to 92 months in prison for his involvement in this offense.

At the time of the crime, Dawson was being supervised by the United States Probation Office for a previous drug trafficking crime. Because he committed this offense while on supervision, Judge Kane imposed additional punishment on Dawson.  She sentenced him to an 24 months in jail, which must be served consecutively to his 92-month sentence. 

This case was brought as part of the Violent Crime Reduction Partnership (“VCRP”), a districtwide initiative to combat the spread of violent crime in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the VCRP consists of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies whose mission is to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit violent crimes.

This case was also 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.

The case was investigated by the York City Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).  Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Consiglio prosecuted this case.

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