Phillip Bennett, Cocaine and Methamphetamine Trafficking, Pennsylvania 2016

Harrisburg, PA – April 26, 2016

A coordinated investigation by the Pennsylvania State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation led to the indictment of 14 Central Pennsylvania men charging them with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine.

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the conspiracy extended over 14 months from December 2014 to April 2016, with the drug activity taking place in Cumberland, Dauphin, York, Snyder, Northumberland, Berks and Perry Counties.

The defendants, whose ages and residences are listed below, were taken into custody today.

Phillip Bennett, age 43, Elizabethtown
Michael Finsterbush, age 50, Lemoyne
Marcie Herman, age 47, Harrisburg
Michael Herman, age 49, Harrisburg
Arthur Houze, age 49, Harrisburg
Douglas Lesniak, age 46, Steelton
John Nace, age 41, York
Joseph Newton, age 47, Selinsgrove
Scott Ohler, age 50, Harrisburg
Juan Salcido, age 33, Reading
Michael Sanders, age 43, Selinsgrove
Justin Spiegle, age 41, Liverpool
Timothy Watson, age 42, Lemoyne
Eric West, age 29, Shermans Dale

The indictment also seeks forfeiture of approximately $156,574 from defendant Scott Ohler.

Prosecution has been assigned to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christy Fawcett and Chelsea Schinnour.

Indictments and Criminal Informations 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 is life imprisonment, 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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