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 today that on August 9, 2017, Kerry L. Boltz, Sr., age 54, of Jonestown, Pennsylvania, and Chester L. Hubler, III, age 38, of Lykens, Pennsylvania, were indicted by a federal grand jury in a superseding indictment for multiple drug trafficking crimes. Boltz was also indicted on firearms charges. The case was unsealed on August 23, 2017.

 

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the superseding indictment alleges that Boltz and Hubler conspired to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine between February 2017 and April 2017, and that the two distributed methamphetamine on multiple occasions during that time period. The superseding indictment also alleges that Boltz distributed heroin and fentanyl, unlawfully possessed firearms (Marlin Firearms Company 336CS 30-30 caliber rifle, a Mossberg Model 46M 22-caliber rifle, and Weatherly Orion 12-guage shotgun) as a previously convicted felon, and possessed a short-barreled shotgun (Remington Wingmaster Model 870 12-gauge shotgun) that was not properly registered.

 

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carlo D. Marchioli.

 

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.

 

This case was also brought as part of the Violent Crime Reduction Partnership (“VCRP”), a district wide 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 with firearms.

 

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 is 40 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.

 

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