Jhaquil Moore, also known as “Twizz,” age 30, of Hughestown, Pennsylvania, and Keith Hayes, age 34, of Jenkins Township, Pennsylvania, were indicted by a federal grand jury for drug trafficking offenses on May 19. The announcement was made by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania on May 20.
The indictment alleges that Moore and Hayes conspired to distribute cocaine in Luzerne County and other areas between February 1 and May 12. It further alleges that they distributed cocaine on six occasions between February of last year and April of this year within Luzerne County. Additionally, Hayes is accused of possessing a stolen Glock 43x pistol on May 12 after having previously been convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year in prison.
The Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Luzerne County Drug Task Force, the Kingston Police Department, and the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney James M. Buchanan is prosecuting it.
The U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania handles prosecutions of federal crimes such as these cases while also overseeing civil litigation for the government and victim assistance programs; its office covers about 21,907 square miles across central Pennsylvania serving roughly 3.2 million residents through facilities in Harrisburg, Scranton, Williamsport and Wilkes-Barre according to the official website.
According to prosecutors: “The maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is imprisonment for twenty years, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following the finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.” The statement also notes: “Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.”
