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 Eric C. Haggins Jr., age 39, of Seven Valleys, Pennsylvania, was indicted on August 7, 2024, by a federal grand jury for failure to register as a sex offender, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that between April 2022 and July 2024, Haggins knowingly failed to register and update a registration as required under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).  It alleges Haggins was required to register under SORNA because of prior convictions for Rape in the Second Degree and Sexual Abuse of a Minor in the state of Maryland.  The indictment also alleges that Haggins possessed cocaine, and marijuana with the intent to distribute, possessed a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and possessed a firearm while he was prohibited from doing to because of his previous convictions.

This case was investigated by United States Marshals Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, 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 that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement 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 enforcement, and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce crime.

The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense 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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