Harrisburg Drug Kingpin David Washington Faces Federal Charges

HARRISBURG – The grim streets of Harrisburg were rocked as David Washington, 43, a man who calls the city home, was slapped with federal drug trafficking and firearms charges. According to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, an indictment by a federal grand jury on February 14, 2018, accuses Washington of dealing in cocaine base, heroin, psychostimulants, fentanyl, and clonazepam. The charges don’t stop there; it’s also alleged that he had three rifles and three handguns during his illicit operations. One of the handguns was found to have its serial number deliberately obliterated.

Washington’s case is an outcome of a relentless investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Harrisburg Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chelsea Schinnour will be taking on this prosecution with a determination that echoes the nation’s commitment to curbing violent crime and ensuring neighborhood safety.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime through a united front of law enforcement agencies. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made tackling the rising tide of violent crime a top priority, reinvigorating PSN in October 2017. The Heroin Initiative, led by the United States Attorney’s Office, is also targeting drug traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and seeks to dismantle their operations.

Indictments are merely allegations, and all accused parties are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Sentencing will be decided by a judge after considering federal sentencing statutes and guidelines. The maximum penalty under federal law for Washington’s offense could be life imprisonment, followed by supervised release and a fine. The Judge will also weigh various factors to determine the appropriate sentence.

As this story unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of the relentless efforts being made to combat drug trafficking and associated crimes. For now, David Washington faces a challenging legal battle in the courts of Pennsylvania.