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 Noel Mateo, age 35, of Umatilla, Florida, and David Duclos, age 29, of Orlando, Florida, were indicted by a federal grand jury for conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute five kilograms and more of cocaine and possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that Mateo and Duclos possessed and conspired to possess with the intent to distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine on or about December 7, 2023, in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. The indictment further alleges that three firearms were possessed in furtherance of the drug trafficking activities.

This case was investigated by United States Homeland Security Investigations and Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Stephen Dukes is prosecuting the case.

This case is 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 gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

The maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is life imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. 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.

Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

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