The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania has announced that Daniyel Jamal Heyward, a 45-year-old resident of West Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges related to drug trafficking.
Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus stated that the indictment accuses Heyward of possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute it on February 13, 2025. Additionally, he is charged with conspiracy to possess and distribute cocaine from January 1, 2025, to February 13, 2025.
The investigation was conducted by the Luzerne County Drug Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Luisa Honora Berti.
This case is part of “Operation Take Back America,” which aims to use the full resources of the Department of Justice to combat illegal immigration and eliminate cartels and transnational criminal organizations. It also seeks to protect communities from violent crime perpetrators. The operation coordinates efforts from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
Under federal law, the maximum penalty for these offenses includes up to 40 years in prison, supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Sentencing will be determined by a judge based on federal sentencing statutes and guidelines if guilt is established.
It is important to note that indictments are merely allegations at this stage. All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
