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

WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on June 10, 2021, Naim Taylor, age 23, and Antwan Dozier, age 23, both of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, were indicted by a federal grand jury for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 100 grams, or more, of heroin (one hundred grams of heroin is equivalent to 4,000 individual doses.

According to Acting United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the 7-count indictment alleges that Taylor and Dozier conspired from in or around July 2020 through the date of the indictment to distribute heroin to a network of drug sellers and users in the Lewisburg, Bloomsburg, and Williamsport regions.  In addition, the indictment charges Taylor and Dozier with distribution and possession with intent to distribute heroin on separate dates in 2020 and 2021.

The case was investigated by the FBI, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Lycoming County Narcotics Enforcement Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorney George J. Rocktashel is prosecuting the case.

This case was brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin and fentanyl. 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 is also part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

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 40 years in prison, 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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