Pennsylvania man charged with drug trafficking, firearms violation

PHILADELPHIA — A Reading, Pennsylvania, man was charged Thursday with federal drug trafficking and firearms crimes following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Reading Police Department.

According to the indictment, Jermaine McClary, 39, possessed and intended to distribute heroin and cocaine. It is also alleged that he possessed a .38 caliber revolver in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and possessed both that gun and a .40 caliber semiautomatic pistol as a convicted felon.

If convicted of all charges, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of life in prison, with a mandatory minimum of five years in prison, six years supervised release, a fine of up to $2.75 million, and a $500 special assessment.

The case was investigated by the Reading Police Department, the Berks County District Attorney’s Office, HSI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph A. LaBar and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jesse C. Leisawitz.

An indictment, information or criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.