Morris Smith, Cocaine Possession with Intent to Distribute, William…

A Williamsport man is facing federal charges after being caught with cocaine and a firearm during a drug trafficking investigation. Morris Smith, 33, was indicted by a grand jury in Scranton on October 18, 2016, on charges of possession with intent to distribute cocaine in the Williamsport area.

The indictment, announced by United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, alleges Smith possessed the controlled substance in March 2016 with plans to distribute it locally. Authorities say the case reveals deeper ties to ongoing drug activity in the region, with Smith’s actions falling under a broader federal crackdown on narcotics distribution.

In addition to the drug charge, Smith faces two firearm-related counts: possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Both charges carry significant mandatory minimum sentences under federal law.

The investigation was led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Williamsport Bureau of Police. The collaboration highlights the intensified coordination between federal and local agencies targeting drug networks in Pennsylvania’s Middle District.

This case is part of a district-wide initiative spearheaded by the U.S. Attorney’s Office to combat the national heroin and opioid epidemic. While Smith’s charges involve cocaine, the initiative focuses on dismantling all major drug operations fueling addiction and violence in the region.

If convicted, Smith could face up to 20 years in prison for the cocaine charge, 10 years for being a felon in possession of a firearm, and a mandatory consecutive five-year term for using a firearm in connection with a drug crime. Sentencing would also include fines, supervised release, and consideration of federal guidelines. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean A. Camoni. Indictments are presumed innocent until proven in court.