Reneard Harris, a 67-year-old resident of Wilkes-Barre, was indicted by a federal grand jury on drug trafficking charges, according to a March 11 announcement from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
The case is significant because Harris was already on pre-trial release for another federal drug trafficking case when the alleged offenses occurred. The indictment alleges that Harris either distributed or possessed with intent to distribute quantities of cocaine base on three separate occasions between February 18 and March 3 in Luzerne County.
United States Attorney Brian D. Miller said that law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation include the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Wilkes-Barre City Police Department, the Luzerne County Drug Task Force, and the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney James M. Buchanan is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Harris faces a maximum penalty under federal law of up to 20 years in prison, supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Sentencing would be determined by a judge after considering applicable federal statutes and sentencing guidelines.
The United States Attorney’s Office emphasized that indictments are only allegations and all persons charged are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
