Security News: Philadelphia Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Distribute Narcotics and Money Laundering

Source: United States Department of Justice News

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A former resident of Philadelphia, PA pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.

Jelahn Williams, a/k/a “Boog”, 27, pleaded guilty on August 9, 2022, to Counts One and Two of the Indictment before Senior United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson.

In connection with the guilty plea, from on or about July 5, 2018, and continuing thereafter to on or about May 5, 2020, in the Western District of Pennsylvania and elsewhere, Williams conspired to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, 28 grams or more of cocaine base, in the form commonly known as crack, and 40 grams or more of fentanyl and heroin, as well as, conspired to commit money laundering.

Judge Gibson scheduled sentencing for Dec. 14, 2022, at 1:30 p.m. The law provides for a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $10,000,000, or both, at Count One, and a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $500,000, or both, at Count Two. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Arnold P. Bernard Jr. is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

This prosecution is a result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles high-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten communities throughout the United States. OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

OCDETF conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case. The task force is headed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Laurel Highlands Resident Agency and is comprised of members drawn from the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Indiana Borough Police Department.