SCRANTON- Akbar Muhammad, a 42-year-old man from New York, has been accused of orchestrating a dangerous conspiracy involving the distribution of more than a kilogram of heroin and interstate prostitution. The indictment against him was issued on May 14, 2019, by a federal grand jury in Pennsylvania.
United States Attorney David J. Freed revealed that Muhammad, also known as ‘Biz’ on the streets, has been involved in this conspiracy since 2015. He is alleged to have transported prostitutes across state lines between October 2016 and 2017, further entwining his activities with the drug trade.
The investigation leading to the indictment was a joint effort by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Stroud Area Regional Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa is the lead prosecutor in this case.
This indictment is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer by uniting all levels of law enforcement with the communities they serve. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017, focusing on targeting violent criminals like Muhammad.
Additionally, this case is part of a broader district-wide initiative against the heroin epidemic. The Heroin Initiative targets traffickers operating within the Middle District of Pennsylvania and coordinates efforts among federal, state, and local law enforcement to apprehend and prosecute those involved in heroin-related offenses.
Despite the serious nature of the charges, it’s important to note that all persons charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. The potential sentences for the drug conspiracy charge include life imprisonment, supervised release after prison, and a fine. The minimum sentence for the drug charge is 10 years’ imprisonment, with a maximum of 10 years for the prostitution offenses.
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Sex Crimes|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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