Western District of Pennsylvania
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Farrell, Pa Resident Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Distribute CocaineRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA – Kenneth Miller pled guilty to conspiring to distribute cocaine, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
Miller, age 62, of Farrell, Pennsylvania, pled guilty before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon. Miller pled guilty to conspiring to distribute a quantity of cocaine between June 2020 and June 2021. Judge Bissoon scheduled sentencing to occur on April 10, 2024, at 10:00 a.m.
The law provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is to be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorneys Benjamin C. Dobkin and Craig W. Haller are prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Lawrence County Drug Task Force, the Mercer County Drug Task Force, the New Castle Police Department, the Sharon Police Department, the Hermitage Police Department, and the Farrell Police Department led the investigation resulting in the conviction in this case.
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.
Seven Individuals Indicted on Fraud and Money Laundering Charges Relating to International Lottery Scam Targeting ElderlyRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH – Seven individuals have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. The charges stem from the Department of Justice’s wide-ranging efforts to protect older adults from fraud and financial exploitation.
Defendants, Jason Plummer, 31; Troy Williams, 38; and Tajay Singh, 26, each of Montego Bay, Jamaica, were each named in separate, two-count Indictments. A fourth two-count Indictment named defendants Tashane Murray, 30, of Miramar, Florida; Clevon McKenzie, 31, of Mount Vernon, New York; Gyzzell Byfield, 27, of Bridgeport, Connecticut; and Daneil Reid, 27, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Murray, McKenzie, Byfield, and Reid were arrested in the United States on November 16, 2023. Plummer and Singh were arrested in Jamaica on December 13, 2023. Williams was arrested in Jamaica on December 14, 2023.
According to the Indictments, defendants executed a scheme to defraud that stole more than $2.8 million from the elderly and vulnerable victims in the Western District of Pennsylvania and elsewhere in the United States. As part of that scheme, conspirators contacted the victims and falsely told them that they had won a million or multi-million-dollar sweepstakes, but needed to pay certain taxes and fees before they could claim their prize. These claims were often reinforced with forged documents purporting to describe the sweepstakes winnings and required taxes and fees, some of which bore the seals of government agencies. Williams, Plummer, Singh, Murray, and McKenzie all targeted victims in one or more of those ways. The conspirators then directed the victims to send money, including cash, checks, and money orders, to people designated by the conspirators. Some of these people were victims of the lottery scam, who had been unwittingly fooled into accepting and moving money on behalf of the members of the conspiracy. Others, like Byfield and Reid, were members of the conspiracy themselves. After being laundered through a network of bank accounts and money mules, victim money was withdrawn by members of the conspiracy living in Jamaica.
“These defendants allegedly enriched themselves at the expense of elderly victims who believed they had won the lottery,” said U.S. Attorney Olshan. “Protecting our most vulnerable populations from the proliferation of targeted fraud schemes like the one alleged in this case remains a significant priority of our office. We will continue to work with all of our domestic and foreign law enforcement partners in our shared pursuit of justice on behalf of crime victims.”
“Those charged targeted and took advantage of some of the most vulnerable people in our society,” said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Mike Nordwall. “This was a wide-reaching conspiracy that cost victims millions of dollars. Unfortunately, it’s a crime that is increasing every year, and Pennsylvania remains one of top states in the country that is impacted. The FBI is dedicated to stopping crime groups abroad and here at home who exploit our seniors with financial fraud schemes.”
“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is committed to investigating fraudulent lottery schemes designed to defraud innocent victims,” said Lesley Allison, U.S. Postal Inspector in Charge in Pittsburgh. “Combating international fraud schemes is a priority of the Postal Inspection Service particularly since the fraudsters prey on our most vulnerable US citizens. Postal Inspectors will exhaust all efforts to identify and indict those responsible for using the US Mail to facilitate these egregious criminal acts against our seniors.”
“The interagency cooperation throughout this investigation has been exemplary as we all worked toward our common goal of safeguarding our valued seniors,” said Special Agent in Charge of HSI Philadelphia William S. Walker. “We ask the public to do their part in this fight as well. Check-in with senior citizens and loved ones frequently. Ask them about any transactions that may seem out of the ordinary. Together we can help to keep our family and friends financially safe and sound.”
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of twice the pecuniary loss to any victim, or both. 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 Jeffrey R. Bengel is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Postal Inspection Service, and United States Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation leading to the Indictments in this case. They were assisted in the investigation by other domestic and international agencies, including the United States Marshals Service, JOLT Fusion Center, Jamaican Constabulary Force, National Intelligence Bureau, Financial Investigations Division, Major Organized Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency, and Fugitive Apprehension Team. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Ohio Man Indicted for Alleged Child Sex TraffickingRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA – A resident of Euclid, Ohio, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh for sex trafficking of a child, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
The one-count Indictment named Donte Lashawn Cole, 39, as the sole defendant. According to allegations contained in a previously filed federal criminal complaint, in May 2023 Cole transported a minor female victim from Ohio to a hotel in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, to engage in commercial sex acts. Cole allegedly used online advertisements to market the minor for commercial sex services in Western Pennsylvania and elsewhere, from April 2023 to October of 2023. With the assistance of the Northeast Ohio Human Trafficking Taskforce, Cole was taken into custody at his residence in Euclid, Ohio, where the minor was also located partially nude in an upstairs bedroom.
“This defendant allegedly offered for sale the sexual exploitation of a child—an egregious violation of the innocent,” said U.S. Attorney Olshan. “Along with our partners in federal, state, and local law enforcement, we will continue our work to identify, investigate, and bring to justice those who pursue profit through sex trafficking of minors. We implore anyone who knows or suspects that a minor may be the victim of sex trafficking to contact law enforcement.”
“Without collaboration between law enforcement, human traffickers are able to move from city to city and state to state in the shadows, while profiting from traumatic acts their victims feel obligated to perform,” Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry said. “Our charges, and the ensuing federal indictment, bring this egregious conduct to light and seek to end a reign of predatory behavior.”
The federal charge provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Rob Schupansky and Special Assistant United States Attorney Summer Carroll are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Department of Homeland Security Investigations and the Attorney General’s Office of Pennsylvania conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
If you are the victim of human trafficking or may have information about a potential trafficking situation, please call the FBI, local law enforcement, or the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) at 1-888-373-7888. NHTRC is a national, toll-free hotline, with specialists available to answer calls from anywhere in the country, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, every day of the year related to potential trafficking victims, suspicious behaviors, and/or locations where trafficking is suspected to occur. To submit a tip to the NHTRC online please visit https://humantraffickinghotline.org/report-trafficking.
An indictment and a criminal complaint are accusations. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Former Edinboro Resident Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Receipt and Possession of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
ERIE, PA - A former resident of Edinboro, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 5 years in prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a special assessment of $5,100 on his conviction of violating federal laws relating to the sexual exploitation of children, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
United States District Judge Susan Paradise Baxter imposed the sentence on James Paredes Andrada, age 25.
According to information presented to the court, from November 2019 to February 2020, Andrada received and possessed computer and cell phone images depicting minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Olshan commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police and the Edinboro Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Andrada.
Pittsburgh Resident Pleads Guilty to Violating Federal Firearms LawsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA – Raesean M. Wilson, age 21, a resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to two charges of violating federal firearm laws, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
According to information presented to the court, in March 2022, Wilson was convicted in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas of being a person not to possess firearms, a felony offense. On or about September 21, 2022, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police observed Wilson in possession of a 9mm semi-automatic pistol loaded with an extended magazine and 30 rounds of ammunition in the Northview Heights community in Pittsburgh’s Northside neighborhood. Under federal law, a convicted felon is prohibited from possessing ammunition. On January 3, 2023, a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh indicted Wilson for this incident and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
On or about January 26, 2023, after being indicted for the previous incident, Wilson was stopped by Pennsylvania State Troopers in downtown Pittsburgh for a moving traffic violation and found to be in possession of a .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol loaded with an extended magazine and 23 rounds of ammunition. On February 28, 2023, a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh indicted Wilson for this second firearms offense.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 15 years in prison, a fine of not more than $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Carl J. Spindler prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police; Pennsylvania State Police; and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation in this case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Former Resident of Clarendon Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Child Sexual Exploitation OffensesRead the Press Release
ERIE, Pa. - A former resident of Clarendon, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 25 years in prison, lifetime supervised release, and ordered to pay $8,300 in restitution, on his conviction of violating federal laws relating to the sexual exploitation of children, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
United States District Judge Stephanie Haines imposed the sentence on Jeffrey Colin Rogers, age 60.
The evidence presented at trial established that in November 2017, Rogers used his cellphone to take multiple sexually explicit photos of two minors after providing them marijuana and alcohol at his apartment in Sheffield, Pennsylvania. Rogers then stored the photos on his phone. The Pennsylvania State Police discovered the illegal images after executing a search warrant at Rogers’ apartment in February 2018 and seizing Rogers’ phone.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Olshan commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Rogers.
Pittsburgh Resident Indicted on Federal Fraud ChargesRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges that he defrauded customers of his snow and ice removal business, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
The nine-count Indictment named Charles W. Lantzman, 50, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment presented to the court, from December 2018 through March 2019, Lantzman engaged in a scheme to defraud customers by padding the bills of customers with charges for services that were not performed. The Indictment specifically charges six counts of wire fraud. Lantzman is also charged with three counts of money laundering, occurring between December 2018 and March 2019.
For each of the wire fraud counts, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 20 years in prison, a fine of not more than $250,000.00 or twice the gross gain to any person or loss to any person other than the defendant, or both. The law also provides for a maximum term of imprisonment of not more than 10 years, as well as a potential fine, on each of the money laundering counts. 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.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, and United States Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
McKees Rocks Resident Pleads Guilty to a Charge of Theft of Mail by an Officer or EmployeeRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of McKees Rocks, PA, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of theft of mail by an officer or employee of the United States Postal Service, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
India Schatzman, age 49, of McKees Rocks, PA, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge William S. Stickman, IV.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on December 30, 2022, Schatzman, who was a postal employee at the Pittsburgh Process and Distribution Center, was surveilled by inspectors of the Postal Inspection Service stealing a Visa gift card from a greeting card intended for a recipient in the State of Washington.
Judge Stickman scheduled sentencing for April 19, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than five years in prison, a fine of not more than $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Pending sentencing, the court continued the defendant’s bond.
Assistant United States Attorney Carolyn J. Bloch is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The United States Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Schatzman.
Aliquippa Resident Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Involvement in a Drug Trafficking OrganizationRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Aliquippa, PA, has been sentenced in federal court to a total of 5 years of imprisonment, followed by 4 years of supervised release, in connection with his involvement in a drug trafficking organization from May 2021 to November 2021, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
United States District Judge William S. Stickman imposed the sentence on Anthony Tusweet Smith, Jr., age 24.
According to information presented to the court, Smith belonged to a multi-defendant conspiracy that dealt in large quantities of controlled substances. Within the conspiracy, Smith distributed fentanyl to end users in the vicinity of his residence in Aliquippa, PA. In conjunction with his federal arrest, law enforcement seized four firearms from that residence, to include a loaded semiautomatic rifle with an attached 30-round capacity magazine near packaged fentanyl. During the course of the conspiracy, Smith was responsible for the distribution and/or the possession with intent to distribute at least 40 grams of fentanyl.
Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Stickman stressed that mixing drugs and guns equates to death within the community.
The successful prosecution of Smith was the result of an extensive and collaborative investigation conducted by Federal, state, and local law enforcement operating under the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program in Beaver County.
Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna and Special Assistant United States Attorney Kara Cotter prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Olshan commended the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General and the Drug Enforcement Administration for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Smith.
Pittsburgh Resident Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison on His Revocation of Federal Supervised ReleaseRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Pittsburgh, PA, has been sentenced in federal court to a total of 10 years of imprisonment on his revocation of federal supervised release in connection with his violent conduct occurring in July of 2022, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
United States District Judge W. Scott Hardy imposed the sentence on Damien Bradford, age 42.
According to information presented to the court, Bradford was previously convicted in the Northern District of Ohio of Interstate Stalking and Use and Carry of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony. Those convictions related to Bradford’s killing of Dr. Gulam Moonda in May 2005. Bradford was initially sentenced to a 210-month term of imprisonment, followed by 5-years of federal supervised release. Upon his release from imprisonment, Bradford’s supervision was transferred from the Northern District of Ohio to the Western District of Pennsylvania. On July 29, 2022, the Pennsylvania State Police charged Bradford with numerous offenses, to include Attempted Homicide, Aggravated Assault – Fear of Imminent Serious Bodily Injury Designated Individual, Assault of Law Enforcement Officer, Disarming Law Enforcement Officer, and Possession of Firearms Prohibited. In November 2023, Bradford was convicted in the Beaver County Court of Common Pleas and sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 36 1/2 to 73 years.
Following that sentencing proceeding, a federal supervised release violation hearing was held. At the proceeding, the government introduced videos of Bradford’s conduct in July 2022. The videos depicted Bradford pointing a firearm at an individual, a bystander applying a torniquet to a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper who Bradford shot in the leg, and a bystander assisting another Pennsylvania State Police Trooper restrain Bradford as he grabbed the Trooper’s firearm and taser.
Bradford admitted to violating some conditions of his federal supervised release and requested that the Court impose a sentence to be served concurrently to his sentence in Beaver County. The government requested that the Court revoke Bradford’s supervised release, sentence him to the maximum term of imprisonment of 10-years, and to impose that sentence consecutively to the Beaver County sentence.
Judge Hardy imposed a total 10-year sentence, to be served consecutively to the Beaver County sentence. Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Hardy emphasized the seriousness of Bradford’s conduct, Bradford’s propensity for enduring violence, and the need to impose the maximum sentence authorized by law to protect the public from Bradford. Finally, Judge Hardy commended the bystanders who assisted the Pennsylvania State Police, as depicted in the videos introduced at the hearing.
Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Olshan commended the Pennsylvania State Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Bradford.
Duquesne Man Pleads Guilty to Production of Material Depicting Sexual Exploitation of a MinorRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH – A resident of Duquesne, PA pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of production and attempted production of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
George Cobbs, age 41, pleaded guilty to three counts before United States District Judge W. Scott Hardy.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on July 14, 2021; September 22, 2021; and September 30, 2021, Cobbs attempted to and did use, persuade, induce, entice, and coerce a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing any visual depiction of such conduct.
Judge Hardy scheduled sentencing for April 9, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of not more than 90 years in prison, a fine of up to $750,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant.
Pending sentencing, Cobbs remains detained.
Assistant United States Attorney Heidi M. Grogan is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
FBI Pittsburgh Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Allegheny County Police Department, and the Duquesne Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Cobbs.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Dominican Republic Man Sentenced to 84 Months in Prison and 3 Years of Supervised Release for Illegally Re-Entering the United StatesRead the Press Release
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A resident of the Dominican Republic, has been sentenced in federal court to a total of 84 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release on his conviction of illegal reentry by a deported alien, United States Attorney Eric Olshan announced today.
United States District Judge Stephanie L. Haines imposed the sentence on Rudys Osvaldo Torres, age 50, of the Dominican Republic on December 7, 2023.
According to information presented to the court, on or about March 15, 2021, Torres, an alien who had previously been deported and removed from the United States, and who had knowingly, intentionally, and unlawfully reentered the United States, was found in the United States in Somerset County, Pennsylvania without having applied for and received permission from the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to reenter the United States.
Assistant United States Attorney Arnold P. Bernard, Jr. prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
Mr. Olshan commended the Pennsylvania State Police and Customs Enforcement for the investigation that led to the successful prosecution of Torres.
Former Pennsylvania State Police Corporal Sentenced to 23 Years in Prison for Child Sexual Exploitation OffensesRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH - A former resident of Perryopolis, PA has been sentenced in federal court to a total term of 276 months’ imprisonment (23 years) on his conviction for seven counts of child sexual exploitation, including the production and attempted production of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, possession of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, and transportation and attempted transportation of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon ordered a period of 25 years’ supervised release following McKenzie’s incarceration sentence and ordered that McKenzie pay restitution totaling $61,000.00 to his minor victims.
According to information presented to the court, on three separate occasions in 2020-2021, McKenzie induced a minor known to him to shower and change in a bathroom where he surreptitiously recorded the minor. McKenzie saved one of the videos that he had captured of this minor on a thumb drive where he also had saved hundreds of other videos of child sexual abuse material, including videos that depicted prepubescent minors, toddlers, and babies being sexually abused. Additionally, McKenzie transferred the videos he created of the minor to a Dropbox account, along with another video of an unknown minor showering and changing. At the time of this criminal conduct, McKenzie was employed by the Pennsylvania State Police as a Corporal. Law enforcement recovered the thumb drive containing the child sexual abuse material from the lapel pocket of McKenzie’s Pennsylvania State Police uniform.
In sentencing the defendant, Judge Bissoon acknowledged the pain and harm McKenzie caused all of the victims of his crimes. Judge Bissoon stated that McKenzie is a danger to society.
“This defendant betrayed his oath as a sworn law enforcement officer and victimized the very children he was sworn to protect,” said United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan. “McKenzie’s conduct represents the most disturbing betrayal of trust, and today’s sentence provides more proof that this office and our partners in law enforcement will bring the full force of federal law to seek justice for child sexual abuse victims.”
“The investigation, prosecution and sentencing of Sean McKenzie was made possible by the unparalleled cooperation between HSI Pittsburgh, the Pennsylvania State Police and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania,” said Special Agent in Charge of HSI Philadelphia William S. Walker. “Today’s sentence is a warning to all would-be predators that our law enforcement agencies continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute to the fullest extent those who harm children. This is especially true when the perpetrator of these horrific crimes is a law enforcement officer.”
Assistant United States Attorney Heidi M. Grogan prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
Homeland Security Investigations – Pittsburgh and the Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of McKenzie.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Uniontown Resident Pleads Guilty to Failure to Register as a Sex Offender ChargeRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - A former resident of Uniontown, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of failure to register as a sex offender, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
Jon Leslie Williams, age 65, formerly of Uniontown, PA, pleaded guilty to one count before Chief United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Williams, who had been convicted in Michigan in 1991 for Criminal Sexual Conduct and in Florida in 2014 for sexual battery, after raping a blind and deaf woman, both offenses for which Williams was required to register as a sex offender, had absconded from his Florida residence on July 23, 2021, traveled to Pennsylvania to live, and failed to update his sex offender registration, contrary to the provisions of the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). Williams is required to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life.
Judge Hornak scheduled sentencing for April 10, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than ten years in prison, a fine of not more than $250,000.00, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant.
Pending sentencing, the court ordered that Williams remain detained.
Assistant United States Attorney Carolyn J. Bloch is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The United States Marshal Service conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Williams.
Pittsburgh Resident Sentenced for Violating Federal Firearms LawsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Pittsburgh has been sentenced in federal court on a charge of violating federal firearms laws, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
Chief United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak sentenced Isaac Akwasi Duku, Jr., age 23, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to 34 months in prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release.
According to information provided to the court, Duku Jr. has several prior convictions for firearm offenses, some of which involved drugs and indications of drug trafficking. On May 28, 2022, Duku Jr. unlawfully possessed a privately made .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol that was loaded with an extended magazine and 20 rounds of .40 caliber ammunition. Law enforcement observed and recorded Duku Jr. possessing this pistol in Pittsburgh’s North Side using the city’s surveillance system shortly before locating the pistol and ammunition near his person. Under federal law, a convicted felon is prohibited from possessing ammunition.
Assistant United States Attorney Carl J. Spindler prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Cleveland Resident Pleads Guilty and is Sentenced to 72 Months in Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA – Donte Smith pled guilty and was sentenced to 72 months in federal prison for committing drug trafficking crimes, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
Smith, age 44, of Cleveland, Ohio, pled guilty before, and was sentenced by, Chief United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak.
Smith pled guilty to committing the following crimes in New Castle, Mercer County, Pennsylvania: (1) conspiracy to distribute at least 40 grams of fentanyl, 50 grams of methamphetamine, 28 grams of cocaine base, a quantity of cocaine, and a quantity of heroin, from March 2020 to August 2021; (2) distribution of heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine base, on October 30, 2020; (3) possession with intent to distribute of at least 40 grams of fentanyl, 50 grams of methamphetamine, 28 grams of cocaine base, and a quantity of cocaine, on August 12, 2021; and (4) possession with intent to distribute of at least 40 grams of a mixture containing fentanyl and cocaine, and of another quantity of cocaine, on December 20, 2022.
Judge Hornak ordered Smith to serve four years of supervised release following his prison sentence.
Assistant United States Attorney Craig W. Haller prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States.
The Lawrence County Drug Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the New Castle Police Department, the Shenango Police Department, and the Hickory Township Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the convictions and sentence in this case.
Sharon Resident Sentenced to 15 Months in Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA – Sylvia Ferguson was sentenced to 15 months in prison for drug trafficking, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
Ferguson, age 43, of Sharon, Pennsylvania, was sentenced by United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon. Judge Bissoon ordered Ferguson to serve three years of supervised release following her prison sentence.
Ferguson pled guilty earlier this year to conspiring to distribute morphine from July 2019 to November 2021 in Sharon, Mercer County. She was on probation at that time as a result of a prior conviction in state court.
Craig W. Haller prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the conviction and sentence in this case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Pittsburgh Resident Pleads Guilty to Violating Federal Fraud LawsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of violating federal fraud laws, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
Corey Mizell, age 51, formerly of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to four-counts of embezzlement by an officer or employee of the United States and one-count of mail fraud before United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that in April 2020, Corey Mizell began working as an agent cashier at the H. John Heinz III Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. In that capacity, patients would bring him veteran benefit checks to be deposited into their patient accounts. When the veterans wanted to withdraw cash from their patient accounts, they would physically appear before Mizell at his teller window to request a withdrawal. To effectuate the transaction, Mizell would call a disbursing officer, who would confirm for Mizell that the veteran had an account and provide him a transaction number. Mizell would then complete a Patient Funds Form to document the withdrawal and hand the patient the requested cash.
In January 2021, the sister of a deceased veteran called the VA Police after reviewing the balance in her brother’s patient account. According to the sister, her brother was essentially bedridden due to his disability and the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, he could not spend the amount of cash withdrawn from his account. Subsequently, the VA Police opened an investigation into the account activity and questioned the teller who conducted each withdrawal – Mizell.
Mizell initially informed the VA Police that someone must have misrepresented their identity to him in order to fraudulently obtain the funds. Mizell also opined that he was an easy target for such a scheme since he recently became an agent cashier. The investigation revealed that Mizell would call for authorization to withdraw funds from patients who were either on COVID lockdown or who could not leave their room without an escort due to their disabilities. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General (VA-OIG), confronted Mizell after driving by his residence to find a remodel of the backyard and exterior of his home.
Subsequently, Mizell participated in an interview with the VA-OIG. He provided a written confession in which he admitted to “fraudulently taking money . . . from accounts of veterans.” He attributed his conduct to losing income during the pandemic and unpaid bills. Mizell identified taking money from three veterans. He estimated the total amount embezzled as $17,660. Mizell resigned from the VA on April 20, 2021.
Following Mizell’s resignation, one veteran reported that he noticed over $1,000 missing from his patient account. Law enforcement determined that $1,175 in cash withdrawals occurred from that veteran’s account between November 2020 and January 2021. While Mizell did not identify this person in his written statement, the evidence supports that Mizell embezzled from that account as well. For each withdrawal, Mizell was the cashier, and he withdrew money from that account on four occasions when he embezzled money from other patients accounts. In addition, the VA-OIG determined that the amount of cash deposited by Mizell into his bank account was consistent with the total amount embezzled.
As part of the VA’s investigation, a digital forensic examination was completed on Mizell’s VA computer. The examination revealed that Mizell, on numerous occasions, visited an unemployment compensation website maintained by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As a result, the United States Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, conducted a separate investigation into Mizell related to filing for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC).
Individuals are only eligible for these pandemic benefits if they are unemployed for reasons related to the COVID-19 pandemic and are available to work. Therefore, individuals must certify on an electronic application that they are unemployed due to the pandemic and are available to accept work. After submission, the application is transmitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor for review. If approved for pandemic benefits, individuals are notified of the amount they will receive. In addition to the initial application, and in order to continue receiving pandemic benefits, individuals must certify on a weekly basis that they are still eligible to receive benefits. Of note, individuals are able to certify that they were unemployed for prior weeks in the pandemic and receive benefits for those weeks. The government transported the resulting payment of benefits in the form of checks and debit cards via the mail.
The Department of Labor’s investigation into Mizell revealed that he filed an electronic application for pandemic benefits on April 24, 2020. Despite working for the VA since 2016, Mizell falsified that he was not a federal employee on a VA computer using the VA medical center’s IP address. Beginning in May 2020, Mizell falsified that he was not working fulltime. During that time, he was working fulltime as an agent cashier. In April 2021, Mizell resigned from the VA. Nevertheless, in his weekly unemployment certifications, he represented that he was unemployed due to the pandemic. These falsifications allowed Mizell to collect pandemic benefits.
Mizell collected a total of $38,400 in unemployment pandemic benefits from April 2020 until September 2021. He initially received checks, but pandemic benefits were then disbursed via a debit card, which was reloaded with additional money by the government following Mizell’s weekly certifications. On June 5, 2020, the United States Postal Service transported the debit card in Mizell’s name to an address associated with him in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Judge Fischer scheduled sentencing for March 18, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Pending sentencing, the court continued Mizell on bond.
Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General and Department of Veterans Affairs – Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Mizell.
Former Employee of Beaver County Health Care Facility Pleads Guilty to Federal Hate Crime Charges Related to Assaults Against Disabled ResidentsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA – A resident of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to federal hate crime charges, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
Tyler Smith, 32, of New Brighton, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy, and one count of violating the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, before United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan.
According to admissions made during Smith’s plea hearing, he and co-defendant Zachary Dinell were employees of an in-patient health care facility located in New Brighton, Pennsylvania. Residents of the facility suffered from a range of severe physical, intellectual, and emotional disabilities, and required assistance with all activities of daily life, including bathing, using the bathroom, oral hygiene, feeding, and dressing. As members of the facility’s Direct Care Staff, Smith admitted that he and Dinell were responsible for providing this daily assistance to residents.
From approximately June 2016 to September 2017, Smith further admitted that he and Dinell engaged in a conspiracy to commit hate crimes against residents of the facility because of the residents’ actual or perceived disabilities. Smith and Dinell carried out assaults in a variety of ways, including by punching and kicking residents, rubbing liquid irritants in their eyes, spraying liquid irritants in their eyes and mouths, and in one instance removing a resident’s compression stocking in a manner intended to inflict pain. Several of these assaults were recorded on Dinell’s cell phone. In one instance, Smith admitted jumping on top of a 13-year-old minor, while the child was lying prone on his bed, and while Dinell filmed the incident on his cellular phone. Smith further acknowledged that immediately after recording the video, Dinell texted the video to him.
As part of the conspiracy, Smith also acknowledged that he and Dinell exchanged text messages in which they expressed their animus toward the disabled residents, shared photographs and videos of residents, described their assaults, and encouraged each other’s continued abuse of residents.
Smith further admitted that he and Dinell were able to avoid detection by, among other things, exploiting their one-on-one access to residents of the facility and the fact that the victims were non-verbal and could not report the defendants’ abuse. Due to their physical disabilities, the residents also were not able to defend themselves against the assaults.
The maximum penalty for the conspiracy charge is a term of imprisonment of five years and a $250,000 fine. The maximum penalty for the hate crime charge is a term of imprisonment of ten years and a $250,000 fine.
As part of his plea agreement, and subject to the approval of Judge Ranjan, Smith has agreed to a term of imprisonment of not less than 60 months and not more than 120 months. Zachary Dinell previously pleaded guilty to all charges and was sentenced on January 26, 2023, to 17 years’ imprisonment, followed by three years’ supervised release.
Assistant United States Attorneys Carolyn J. Bloch and Brendan J. McKenna are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.
Rostraver, PA Resident Sentenced to 30 Months in Prison for Conviction of Wire FraudRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Rostraver, PA has been sentenced in federal court to 30 months in prison and 1 year of supervised release on her conviction of wire fraud, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan imposed the sentence on Patty Lynn Mavrakis, 65, of Rostraver, PA.
According to information presented to the court, Mavrakis was a Branch Manager for Valley 1st Community Federal Credit Union and, in September 2016, she embezzled $399,230.00 from the credit union. In order to conceal the theft, she intentionally started a fire in the credit union’s safe and claimed a faulty wire caused the fire and destroyed the missing currency. In the days following the fire, she made a fraudulent insurance claim on behalf of the credit union for the missing currency.
She further made numerous false statements to law enforcement as they investigated the embezzlement and fire. Finally, the court was advised that Mavrakis likely used the embezzled funds on gambling, as she lost approximately four times her annual salary in the months following the embezzlement and fire.
Assistant United States Attorney Lee J. Karl prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Olshan commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Mavrakis.
Lowell, Michigan Resident Pleads Guilty to Charges Related to the Sexual Exploitation of MinorsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA – A resident of Lowell, Michigan pleaded guilty in federal court to charges related to the sexual exploitation of minors, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
Frank Davis, age 30, pleaded guilty to three counts before United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on August 9, 2022, Davis induced a minor during an online chat to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing any visual depiction of the conduct and to send the sexually explicit material to Davis. On the same date, Davis knowingly received videos of the minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct. On August 18, 2022, as well as on other dates in August 2022, Davis sent to the minor obscene videos depicting himself engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
Judge Schwab scheduled sentencing for April 16, 2024, at 8:45 a.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 15 years and up to 60 years in prison, a fine of $750,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Pending sentencing, Davis remains detained.
Assistant United States Attorney Heidi M. Grogan is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
Homeland Security Investigations-Pittsburgh, the Pennsylvania State Police, Homeland Security Investigations-Grand Rapids (Michigan), and the Lowell Police Department (Michigan) conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Davis.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Convicted Felon on Supervised Release Charged with Possessing a Machinegun in Furtherance of Fentanyl and Heroin TraffickingRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA – A former resident of Homestead, Pennsylvania, has been charged in a superseding indictment by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh for possession of a machinegun in furtherance of drug trafficking and other offenses, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
The three-count Superseding Indictment named Erik Addison, age 27, as the sole defendant.
According to the Superseding Indictment, on May 8, 2023, Addison possessed with intent to distribute a quantity of fentanyl and heroin, possessed a machinegun in furtherance of that drug trafficking crime, and also possessed a Glock pistol equipped with a part commonly referred to as a “Glock Switch,” designed to convert a semiautomatic Glock-style handgun into a machinegun capable of fully automatic fire.
As to the most serious offense, possession of a machinegun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, the law provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years of imprisonment with a maximum possible sentence of life, as well as a maximum possible fine of $250,000, or both. 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.
At the time of the new alleged offenses, Addison was serving a term of supervised release following his conviction for a prior federal firearm offense in 2021. As a result, he is now the subject of separate federal court proceedings to revoke his supervised release. According to court records in the supervised release matter, it is alleged that Addison was the subject of an attempted traffic stop on May 8, 2023. Rather than complying with law enforcement, Addison allegedly fled from the traffic stop—striking multiple law enforcement vehicles as he did so—and proceeded at a high rate of speed across the Homestead Grays Bridge from Pittsburgh to the Boroughs of Homestead and West Homestead. Addison’s vehicle was subsequently located, heavily damaged and abandoned. Multiple officers from various jurisdictions responded. One officer saw Addison fleeing on foot, and while that officer pursued him, multiple shots allegedly were fired. Addison was then apprehended and found to be in possession of the firearm that is the subject of the new federal charges contained in the Superseding Indictment.
In addition to the charges returned by the federal grand jury and the alleged supervised release violations, Addison is also facing charges in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas, including aggravated assault and attempted murder of a law enforcement officer stemming from his alleged conduct on May 8, 2023.
“Glock switches turn handguns into machineguns,” said United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan. “Erik Addison allegedly possessed one such machinegun in furtherance of his fentanyl and heroin dealing—a lethal combination of staggering proportions. This office and our dedicated partners in law enforcement will continue our ceaseless pursuit of violent offenders in order to protect the community and ordinary citizens who just want to walk down the street without fear of deadly gunfire.”
“The conduct allegedly committed by the defendant was reprehensible, reckless and extremely dangerous to the community. Stopping individuals who utilize machineguns to facilitate the illegal drug trade is one of ATF’s highest priorities,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Eric DeGree. “We want to thank our local partners for their diligence and courage in his apprehension, as well as the support of the United States Attorney’s Office as we continue to work to take illegal weapons off the streets.”
“This was a violent incident involving a dangerous, illegal weapon,” said Allegheny County Police Superintendent Christopher Kearns. “This arrest is a perfect example of how our work with our local and federal partners allows us to target dangerous individuals and weapons to keep our communities safe.”
Assistant United States Attorneys Douglas C. Maloney and Brendan T. Conway are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Allegheny County Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the Superseding Indictment in this case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
A superseding indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Violations of the conditions of supervised release must be proven by the government by a preponderance of the evidence.
Justice Department Secures Agreement from Pennsylvania Jail to Provide Medications for Opioid Use DisorderRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON — The Justice Department announced today that Allegheny County, Pennsylvania has agreed to offer treatment with any Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medication for opioid use disorder (OUD) to all individuals booked into the Allegheny County Jail (ACJ) for whom such treatment is medically appropriate. Allegheny County will also pay $10,000 to an individual allegedly denied access to methadone in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The ADA prohibits state and local governments from discriminating against individuals with disabilities and protects people in recovery from OUD, including individuals who are taking OUD medication at the direction of a medical provider.
“Too many individuals with opioid use disorder cycle in and out of jails because they can’t find a path to recovery,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This agreement will ensure that Allegheny County Jail provides access to medications that can help break that cycle. These effective, evidence-backed treatments provide viable paths to recovery for those struggling with substance use disorders and help our communities begin to heal.”
“Allegheny County, like so much of the country, has been hit hard by the opioid epidemic,” said U.S. Attorney Eric G. Olshan for the Western District of Pennsylvania. “This agreement ensures that effective OUD treatment will be available to those in Allegheny County who need it most. We appreciate the county’s cooperation in reaching this agreement and look forward to continuing to collaborate in making improvements to ACJ and demonstrating what other jails and prisons must do to address the needs of individuals with opioid use disorder and comply with the ADA.”
Under the three-year agreement, Allegheny County will implement new policies and personnel training programs to ensure that people with OUD who are incarcerated at ACJ receive medically appropriate treatment for their disability. Specifically, Allegheny County will medically evaluate all individuals for OUD at the start of their incarceration. It will ensure that individuals who were receiving OUD medication from a licensed treatment provider before their incarceration are continued on that medication. The county will also offer all individuals with OUD booked into the jail the option to receive treatment with any FDA-approved medically appropriate OUD medication, even if they were not being treated with that medication before their incarceration.
Allegheny County will not change or discontinue an individual’s use of a particular OUD medication unless doing so is based on an individualized determination by a qualified medical provider. The county also will not use incentives, rewards or punishments to encourage or discourage individuals at ACJ from receiving any particular OUD medication.
The Civil Rights Division’s Disability Rights Section handled this matter in collaboration with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania.The Justice Department plays a lead role in combatting the opioid epidemic, including by removing barriers to treatment for OUD. For more information about the Justice Department’s work to address discrimination against individuals with opioid use disorder, please visit www.ada.gov/topics/opioid-use-disorder/. For more information on the Civil Rights Division, please visit www.justice.gov/crt. For more information on the ADA, please call the department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 1-800-514-0301 (TDD 800-514-0383) or visit www.ada.gov.
Note: View the agreement here.
Coalport Man Sentenced to 87 Months in Prison and 4 Years of Supervised Release for Possessing with the Intent to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A former resident of Coalport, PA, has been sentenced in federal court to a total of 87 months in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release on his conviction of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, United States Attorney Eric Olshan announced today.
Senior United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson imposed the sentence on Jacob Troxell, age 33, of Coalport, Pennsylvania on November 29, 2023.
According to information presented to the court, on or about July 22, 2019, Troxell did possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.
Assistant United States Attorney Arnold P. Bernard, Jr. prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
Mr. Olshan commended the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Pennsylvania State Police for the investigation that led to the successful prosecution of Troxell.
Castle Shannon Resident Pleads Guilty to Possessing with the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and CocaineRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Castle Shannon, PA, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine and a quantity of cocaine, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
Michael Hunsinger, age 58, pleaded guilty to one count before Senior United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on June 3, 2022, the Castle Shannon Police Department executed a state court search warrant at the defendant’s residence. During the search, the officers seized large quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine from a vehicle located in the driveway of the residence and smaller quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine, along with digital scales, and $1,046 in U.S. currency from inside the house. The defendant informed the agent and officers that the quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine found in the car and in the house were his and that he intended to distribute those drugs.
Senior Judge Schwab scheduled sentencing for April 10, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of not less than five years and not more than 40 years in prison, a fine of $5,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant.
Pending sentencing, the court continued the defendant’s detention.
Assistant United States Attorney Nicole Stockey is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Castle Shannon Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Hunsinger.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Pittsburgh Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Violent Robbery Spree and Firearms ViolationsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Pittsburgh, PA has been sentenced in federal court to a total of 25 years of imprisonment followed by 5 years of supervised release for robbery, attempted robbery, and firearms violations, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
United States District Judge Christy Criswell Wiegand imposed the sentence on Eric Jones, age 34.
According to information presented to the court, Jones committed four armed robberies of several Pittsburgh-area businesses in a nine-day period in March 2022. On March 6, 2022, Jones robbed the Fox’s Pizza on Allegheny River Boulevard in Oakmont, PA. During that robbery, he shot the owner of this business several times. The victim from this robbery suffered serious injuries. On March 10, 2022, Jones robbed the Sunoco gas station and convenience store on Hulton Road in Verona, PA, again using a firearm during the robbery.
On March 15, 2022, Jones attempted to rob the Family Dollar on Frankstown Avenue in Pittsburgh, PA. During this robbery, Jones fired a round from his pistol toward the rear of the store. On March 15, 2022, around 30 minutes after the attempted robbery of the Family Dollar, Jones attempted to rob the Edgewood Avenue Express on Edgewood Avenue in Edgewood, PA. During this attempted robbery, Jones shot the store owner once and attempted to shoot him again, but his gun jammed. The bullet grazed the store owner, but it did not cause serious injury.
Jones is a convicted felon and was not permitted to possess a firearm or ammunition.
Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Wiegand emphasized the seriousness of the defendant’s conduct, and the impact it had on the victims and their families.
Assistant United States Attorney Doug Maloney prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.United States Attorney Olshan commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); the Allegheny County Police Department; the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police; the Penn Hills Police Department; the Oakmont Police Department; the Edgewood Police Department, and the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office for their extensive and collaborative investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Jones.
Former Sharon Resident Sentenced to 27 Months in Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - Shantell Griggs was sentenced to 27 months in prison for cocaine trafficking, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
Griggs, age 45, formerly of Sharon, Pennsylvania, was sentenced by United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon. Judge Bissoon ordered Griggs to serve six years of supervised release following his prison sentence.
Griggs pled guilty earlier this year to conspiring to distribute cocaine between July 2019 and November 2021 in Sharon, Mercer County. Griggs also pled guilty to possessing with intent to distribute cocaine on September 1, 2021, in Sharon. He stipulated to being responsible for the distribution of 300 grams of cocaine.
Craig W. Haller prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the convictions and sentence in this case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Johnstown, PA Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Possess CocaineRead the Press Release
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A resident of Johnstown, PA, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of attempting to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
Clinton Dudley, age 36, of Johnstown, PA pleaded guilty to Count One of the Indictment before Senior United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on or about August 11, 2021, Dudley knowingly, intentionally, and unlawfully, attempted to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. According to facts presented to the court, Dudley attempted to possess a United States Postal Service parcel found to contain 622 grams of cocaine.
Judge Gibson scheduled sentencing for March 27, 2024. The law provides for a total maximum sentence of 40 years in prison, a fine of $5,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense 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.
The United States Postal Inspection Service and FBI Safe Streets Task Force conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Dudley.
Erie Resident Pleads Guilty to Violating Federal Laws Related to the Sexual Exploitation of ChildrenRead the Press Release
ERIE, Pa. - A resident of Erie, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal laws relating to the sexual exploitation of children, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
Darren Steven George Akers, 48, of Erie, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to receiving child sexual abuse material before United States District Judge Susan Paradise Baxter.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on or about March 9, 2023, Akers received and attempted to receive images depicting prepubescent minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Akers also possessed and accessed with intent to view child sexual abuse material from in and around May 2022, to in and around March 2023.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Judge Baxter scheduled sentencing for March 19, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Pending sentencing, the court continued Akers on bond.Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Akers.
Pittsburgh Resident Pleads Guilty to Possession of a Firearm with an Obliterated Serial NumberRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of Possession of a Firearm with an obliterated serial number, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
Raymond Young, age 20, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty to one count before Senior United States District Judge David S. Cercone.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on January 12, 2022, Allegheny County detectives were working in the Homestead area on a violent crime suppression detail when they retrieved a loaded Glock 23 semi-automatic handgun with a round in the chamber from Young’s pants. The serial numbers on the slide and frame of the weapon had been removed, and the weapon had been reported stolen. It is a violation of federal law to knowingly possess a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
Judge Cercone scheduled sentencing for April 18, 2024. The law provides for a total sentence of five years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Brendan T. Conway is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Allegheny County Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Young.
Dominican Republic Native Pleads Guilty to Smuggling $2 Million in Heroin Nearly 6 Years After His Flight from JusticeRead the Press Release
A native resident of the Dominican Republic pleaded guilty in federal court to two drug trafficking counts, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
On Monday, November 20, 2023, Habys Omar Meran pleaded guilty to both the heroin trafficking and criminal conspiracy counts in the 2016 federal Indictment, before United States District Judge Robert J. Colville.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on January 26, 2016, Meran was driving a van containing a sophisticated, hydraulically activated, hidden compartment when stopped on Route 80 by a Pennsylvania State Trooper who specializes in drug interdiction. The compartment was found to contain over 4 kilograms of heroin - an amount valued at over $2 million once packaged and sold on the street. Meran’s passenger, his relative Juan Wilquin Hernandez-Bourdier, was convicted of all charges by a jury on December 13, 2018, and is currently serving his ten-year sentence in the Federal Bureau of Prisons. But Meran had removed his ankle monitor and fled the country before trial on November 23, 2017. The United States Marshal Service initiated a fugitive investigation and Meran was arrested in the Dominican Republic in 2023. Meran was subsequently extradited back to the United States under an international treaty with the government of the Dominican Republic .
Judge Colville scheduled Meran’s sentencing for April 2, 2024, at 10:00am. Federal law provides for a total sentence of up to life in prison, a fine of up to $10 million, or both. Meran also faces the imposition of restitution for the ankle monitor, and the forfeiture of the van he was driving. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Pending sentencing, the court remanded Meran back to federal custody.
Assistant United States Attorneys Ross E. Lenhardt and James Wilson are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of both Meran and Hernandez-Bourdier, with valuable assistance from the Pennsylvania State Police Interdiction Team, the Pennsylvania State Police Crime Lab, the Department of Homeland Security Crime Lab, the United States Marshal Service, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Sharon Resident Sentenced to 36 Months in Prison for Cocaine and Fentanyl TraffickingRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA – Jammar Shelton was sentenced to 36 months in prison for cocaine and fentanyl trafficking, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
Shelton, age 44 of Sharon, Pennsylvania, was sentenced by United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon. Judge Bissoon ordered Shelton to serve six years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Prior to sentencing, Shelton pled guilty to conspiring to distribute fentanyl and cocaine between June 2020 and June 2021, and to possessing cocaine with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a school and public housing on May 17, 2021.
Assistant United States Attorneys Benjamin C. Dobkin and Craig W. Haller prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Lawrence County Drug Task Force, the Mercer County Drug Task Force, the New Castle Police Department, the Sharon Police Department, the Hermitage Police Department, and the Farrell Police Department led the investigation resulting in the convictions and sentence in this case.
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.
Turtle Creek Man Sentenced to Prison for Escape from Federal Custody at Residential Reentry CenterRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA -- A resident of Turtle Creek Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 18 months imprisonment and supervised release for 2 years on his conviction of violating federal laws regarding escape from imprisonment, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan imposed the sentence on Sean Johnson Jr., age 29, formerly of Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania.
According to information presented to the court, Johnson was serving the last portion of his 37-month federal prison sentence at the Renewal House, a half-way house designed to assist inmates’ re-integrate into society. Johnson received a work pass on July 20, 2022, but he did not return to the Renewal Center. He absconded from custody and eluded capture until October 19, 2022, when he was arrested by the McKeesport Police Department in connection with an unrelated matter.
Assistant United States Attorney Brendan T. Conway prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Olshan commended the United States Marshal Service for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Johnson Jr.
New Kensington Resident Sentenced to 300 Months in Prison for Child Exploitation OffensesRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of New Kensington, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 300 months’ imprisonment followed by a lifetime term of supervised release for conspiracy to receive and distribute, as well as distribution and possession of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
United States District Court Judge William S. Stickman imposed the sentence on Robert Pacek, age 52.
According to information presented to the court, Pacek, while on probation for a prior state conviction for possession of child sexual abuse material, was an active participant in a chat room on the Tor network dedicated to the discussion and exchange of child sexual abuse material. On February 28, 2021, Pacek distributed five images depicting the sexual exploitation of young girls, who appeared to be between the ages of 4 and 6 years old, in that chat room. Pacek later admitted to accessing the Tor network using his neighbor’s router and sharing links to this material. A subsequent search of Pacek’s cell phone revealed approximately 100 videos and 3,000 images depicting the sexual exploitation of minors, including more than 100 images depicting the abuse of toddlers or infants.
Prior to imposing the sentence, Judge Stickman explained that there is no more important government interest than “the protection of the innocence, safety and integrity of our children.” Judge Stickman noted that Pacek played more than a “passive role” in distributing images, noting that Pacek made “callous” comments when posting these images, and regularly greeted new members to the chat room. Judge Stickman emphasized that the use of computers contributes to the widespread distribution of this material and that these offenses involve real minors. Referring to the content of the images Pacek possessed, Judge Stickman noted that there is “no crime more serious in our district than the violation of the innocence of toddlers.”
Assistant United States Attorney Karen Gal-Or prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Olshan commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Pacek.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.Former Detroit Resident Sentenced for Violating Federal Narcotics LawsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - A former resident of Detroit, Michigan, has been sentenced in federal court to 78 months of imprisonment followed by 5 years of supervised release on his conviction of violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
Chief United States District Judge Hornak imposed the sentence on Nicholas Lamont Carter, age 33, formerly of Detroit, Michigan.
According to information presented to the court, Carter was found in possession of 216 grams of fentanyl during a routine traffic stop that he intended to distribute. Carter has a significant criminal history that includes prior violent offenses and prior drug-related offenses, and he was on parole for offenses in West Virginia and Pennsylvania at the time of his possession of the 216 grams of fentanyl.
Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Hornak noted the harm fentanyl has caused to the community and the need to protect the public from further crimes by this defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Brendan T. Conway prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Olshan commended the Allegheny County Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Carter.
Federal Jury Finds Ohio Man Guilty of Federal Drug ChargeRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA – After deliberating for less than one hour, a federal jury found Norberto Castillo-Lopez guilty of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
Castillo-Lopez, 34, of Columbus, Ohio was tried before United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The evidence introduced during the three-day trial established that, beginning in December of 2019 and continuing through August of 2020, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) received authorization to conduct a Title III wiretap investigation into a drug trafficking organization that was trafficking kilogram-quantities of cocaine from Columbus, Ohio into the Western District of Pennsylvania. Castillo-Lopez was intercepted agreeing to supply kilograms of cocaine to his coconspirator. That coconspirator redistributed Castillo-Lopez’s cocaine to lower-level distributors for resale in the cities of New Castle and Farrell. In September 2020, investigators executed a search warrant at Castillo-Lopez’s residence and recovered cocaine, bulk United States currency, and a kilogram wrapper.
Assistant United States Attorneys Mark V. Gurzo and Katherine C. Jordan prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
Judge Ranjan scheduled sentencing for February 15, 2024. The law provides for a total sentence of not less than 10 years to a maximum of life imprisonment, a fine not to exceed $10,000,000, or both. 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. Castillo-Lopez remains in custody pending sentencing.
DEA in Pittsburgh, PA; the DEA, Columbus, OH; the DEA, Harrisburg, PA; Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), Pittsburgh, PA; HSI, Orlando, FL; Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations; United States Postal Service, Columbus, Ohio; Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General; Lawrence County Drug Task Force – Special Investigations Unit; and New Castle Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the prosecution of Castillo-Lopez.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Philadelphia Resident Sentenced to 46 Months in Prison on Drug Trafficking ConvictionRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA – A resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 46 months of imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release on his conviction for violating federal narcotics laws related to a nine-month Title III wiretap investigation into drug trafficking in and around the counties of Jefferson, Clearfield, and Allegheny, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
United States District Judge Christy Criswell Wiegand imposed the sentence on Yusuf Adekunle, age 29.
According to information presented to the court, Adekunle and three other individuals chartered a private plane and transported six kilograms of cocaine from Houston to Pittsburgh International Airport. Investigators obtained a search warrant for the plane and seized the cocaine from two pieces of luggage. The court was further advised that the defendant obtained and distributed between 20 kilograms and 40 kilograms of marijuana between July of 2020 and August of 2021. Agents seized approximately 700 grams of marijuana and a firearm during a search of Adekunle’s residence.
Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan D. Lusty prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Olshan commended the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, United States Postal Service – Office of Inspector General, United States Postal Inspection Service, Internal Revenue Services, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Allegheny County Police, and Pennsylvania State Police. Also assisting were the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office, Clearfield County District Attorney’s Office, and the Clarion Borough Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Adekunle.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Olanta, PA Resident Sentenced to 60 Months in Prison for Conviction of Violating Federal Narcotics and Firearms LawsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA – A resident of Olanta, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 60 months of imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release on his conviction for violating federal narcotics and firearms laws related to a nine-month Title III wiretap investigation into drug trafficking in and around the counties of Jefferson, Clearfield, and Allegheny, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
United States District Judge Christy Criswell Wiegand imposed the sentence on Brent Shaffer, age 39.
According to information presented to the court, Shaffer received parcels that were shipped from California to the Western District of California containing a total of between 1.5 kilograms and 5 kilograms of methamphetamine. Investigators searched Shaffer’s residence on August 31, 2021, pursuant to a federal search warrant and seized over 200 grams of methamphetamine and three firearms.
Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan D. Lusty prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Olshan commended the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, United States Postal Service – Office of Inspector General, United States Postal Inspection Service, Internal Revenue Services, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Allegheny County Police, and Pennsylvania State Police. Also assisting were the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office, Clearfield County District Attorney’s Office, and the Clarion Borough Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Shaffer.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
DuBois City Manager and Employee Charged with Stealing Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars in City FundsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA- Two residents of Clearfield County, PA, have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of conspiracy and federal program fraud, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
The five-count Indictment named John “Herm” Suplizio, 63, and Roberta Shaffer, 58, both of DuBois, PA, as the defendants. The Indictment was unsealed after the defendants were arrested today.
According to the Indictment, from 2014 to 2022, Suplizio, the City Manager of DuBois, and Shaffer, a city employee, conspired to divert and steal hundreds of thousands of dollars in city funds. As the full-time, salaried City Manager, Suplizio maintained substantial authority in DuBois, where he ran the city’s day-to-day operations. As alleged, beginning as early as 2008, Suplizio and Shaffer used the city’s tax identification number to establish secret bank accounts into which they diverted city money, including approximately $60,000 in annual administrative fees from the city’s waste management contract. During the alleged conspiracy, Suplizio and Shaffer made large cash withdrawals from these unaudited accounts, wrote checks to themselves and others, and obtained cashier’s checks with themselves listed as payees—totaling more than $350,000. The defendants also allegedly spent more than $450,000 from the accounts toward payments on Suplizio’s personal credit card, which he used to pay for personal vacations, utility bills for his residence, department store purchases, and jewelry store purchases, among other personal expenses.
“Herm Suplizio allegedly funneled city money into secret bank accounts that he and Shaffer controlled and that he could use for his personal benefit, including hundreds of thousands of dollars in personal credit card payments,” United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan said. “Our communities entrust public officials like Suplizio with tremendous authority, and when that trust is violated—as is alleged here—this office and our federal and state law enforcement partners will hold them accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
“As alleged, the suspects abused their public positions and betrayed the public’s trust all while lining their own pockets with hundreds of thousands of dollars,” said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Mike Nordwall. “The FBI will always root out any and all forms of public corruption. We remain committed to ensuring those who violate the public’s sacred trust are held accountable.”
“I wish to thank our federal partners, who have adopted this prosecution and will work with an attorney from our office who is cross designated as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney,” Attorney General Michelle Henry said. “This federal indictment further validates our joint efforts to hold public officials accountable to the constituents they serve.”
The law provides for a total sentence of not more than 45 years’ imprisonment, a fine of not more than $1,250,000, or both. 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 defendants.
Assistant United States Attorneys Nicole Vasquez Schmitt and Robert S. Cessar and Special Assistant United States Attorney Summer F. Carroll are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Clearfield Resident Sentenced to 20 Months in Prison on Drug Trafficking ConvictionRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA – A resident of Clearfield, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 20 months of imprisonment followed by two years of supervised release on her conviction for violating federal narcotics laws related to a nine-month Title III wiretap investigation into drug trafficking in and around the counties of Jefferson, Clearfield, and Allegheny, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
United States District Judge Christy Criswell Wiegand imposed the sentence on Amy Bortot, age 53.
According to information presented to the court, Bortot was a United States Postal Service mail carrier who used her position to identify multiple addresses on her mail route that she provided to Derek Hillebrand, who instructed his Oregon-based supplier to send parcels containing methamphetamine and marijuana to those addresses. Bortot then either delivered the parcels directly to Hillebrand or to one of his associates rather than to the listed mailing address. In total, Bortot delivered at least one parcel containing approximately 4.5 kilograms of methamphetamine and multiple parcels containing approximately 80 kilograms of marijuana to Hillebrand or his associates.
Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan D. Lusty prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Olshan commended the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, United States Postal Service – Office of Inspector General, United States Postal Inspection Service, Internal Revenue Services, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Allegheny County Police, and Pennsylvania State Police. Also assisting were the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office, Clearfield County District Attorney’s Office, and the Clarion Borough Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Bortot.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Registered Sex Offender Convicted of Possessing Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH – A federal jury convicted a Pittsburgh man today for possessing modified child sexual abuse material (CSAM) of child celebrities. United.States Attorney Eric G. Olshan for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, and Special Agent in Charge Mike Nordwall of the FBI Pittsburgh Field Office made the announcement.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, on two separate occasions, James Smelko, 56, of Pittsburgh, possessed pictures that digitally superimposed the faces of child actors onto nude bodies and bodies engaged in sex acts. Smelko possessed the pictures at his home in Pittsburgh, and law enforcement discovered the pictures during a search of Smelko’s computer. Smelko was then charged for possessing CSAM. While pending trial, Smelko was found to have violated his conditions of release by again possessing such images, after concerning searches and images were detected by court-mandated monitoring software on his cell phone.
The jury convicted Smelko of two counts of possessing child pornography. He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 28, 2024, and faces a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI Pittsburgh Field Office investigated the case.
Assistant United States Attorney Michael Mitchell and Department of Justice Trial Attorney Gwendelynn Bills of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) are prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Justice Department. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Registered Sex Offender Convicted of Possessing Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
A federal jury in Pittsburgh convicted a Pennsylvania man today for possessing modified child sexual abuse material (CSAM) of child celebrities.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, on two separate occasions, James Smelko, 56, of Pittsburgh, possessed pictures that digitally superimposed the faces of child actors onto nude bodies and bodies engaged in sex acts. Smelko possessed the pictures at his home in Pittsburgh, and law enforcement discovered the pictures during a search of Smelko’s computer. Smelko was then charged for possessing CSAM. While pending trial, Smelko was found to have violated his conditions of release by again possessing such images, after concerning searches and images were detected by court-mandated monitoring software on his cell phone.
The jury convicted Smelko of two counts of possessing child pornography. He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 28, 2024, and faces a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Eric G. Olshan for the Western District of Pennsylvania, and Special Agent in Charge Mike Nordwall of the FBI Pittsburgh Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI Pittsburgh Field Office investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Gwendelynn Bills of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Mitchell for the Western District of Pennsylvania are prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Justice Department. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Clearfield Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A resident of Morrisdale, PA pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
Davin Gower, age 30, of Morrisdale, PA, pleaded guilty to Count Two of the Superseding Indictment before Senior United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson on November 14, 2023. In connection with the guilty plea, from July 2019 to June 2020, Gower did conspire to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.
Judge Gibson scheduled sentencing for March 18, 2024. The law provides for a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life, a fine of up to $10,000,00, or both. 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 Maureen Sheehan-Balchon is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Gower. Additional agencies participating in this investigation include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the United States Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, Clearfield County District Attorney’s Office, Erie County District Attorney’s Office, Millcreek Police Department, Erie Bureau of Police, and other local law enforcement agencies.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Former Oil City Resident Sentenced to 96 Months in Prison for Conviction of Robbery and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
ERIE, Pa. - A former resident of Oil City, Pennsylvania, plead guilty and has been sentenced to 96 months in prison on his conviction of Hobbs Act robbery and violating federal firearms laws, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
Senior United States District Judge David S. Cercone imposed the sentence on Mark Daniel Fenstermaker, 39.
According to information presented to the court, on or about October 14, 2021, Fenstermaker committed a robbery of Spanky’s Tobacco World in Venango County, Pennsylvania and used or carried a firearm which was brandished in furtherance of the robbery.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Assistant United States Attorney Paul S. Sellers prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Olshan commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Oil City Police Department, and Venango County District Attorney’s Office for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Fenstermaker.
Monessen, PA Resident Sentenced to 63 Months in Prison for Violating Federal Narcotics LawsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Monessen, PA, has been sentenced in federal court to 63 months of incarceration followed by four years of supervised release on his conviction of violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
United States District Judge Christy Criswell Wiegand imposed the sentence on Douglas Smith, age 41.
According to information presented to the court, Smith obtained over three kilograms of cocaine from a Chicago-based supplier, which Smith then redistributed.
Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan D. Lusty prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.United States Attorney Olshan commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Perryopolis Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Smith.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
McKees Rocks, PA Resident Sentenced to 15 Months in Prison for Violating Federal Narcotics LawsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of McKees Rocks, PA, has been sentenced in federal court to 15 months of incarceration followed by two years of supervised release on his conviction of violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
United States District Judge Christy Criswell Wiegand imposed the sentence on Robert Botti, age 43.
According to information presented to the court, Botti supplied between 400 grams and 500 grams to another individual, Douglas Smith during the course of a conspiracy. On June 15, 2021, investigators seized approximately three ounces of cocaine from Botti’s residence.
Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan D. Lusty prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Olshan commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Perryopolis Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Botti.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Former Resident of Cheswick, PA Sentenced to 48 Months in Prison for Conviction of Violating Federal Narcotics and Firearms LawsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - A former resident of Cheswick, PA, has been sentenced in federal court to 48 months of incarceration followed by four years of supervised release on his conviction of violating federal narcotics and firearms laws, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
United States District Judge Robert J. Colville imposed the sentence on Bill Rana, age 43.
In conjunction with the sentencing hearing, the Court was informed that the Greater Pittsburgh Safe Streets Task Force, led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, conducted a long-term investigation into drug-trafficking activity occurring in the Western District of Pennsylvania. Law enforcement identified several individuals, suspected at the time, of illegally distributing controlled substances, including cocaine and methamphetamine in Allegheny, Westmoreland, Erie, Fayette, and Washington Counties.
Investigators identified Rana, as a “fully patched” member of the Pagans Motorcycle Club and Sergeant of Arms for the Pittsburgh Chapter. Over the course of the conspiracy, Rana obtained and redistributed over one kilogram of cocaine and over 140 grams of methamphetamine from multiple sources of supply that Rana redistributed. Additionally, Rana’s residence was searched on December 8, 2020, and investigators seized a variety of ammunition, which Rana was precluded from possessing due to a prior felony conviction.
Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan D. Lusty prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Olshan commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Postal Inspection Service, Drug Enforcement Administration, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, Pennsylvania State Police, and Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General Bureau of Narcotics Investigations for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Rana.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Texas Resident Sentenced for Conviction of Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Sachse, TX, has been sentenced in federal court to 4 months of imprisonment to be followed by 3 years of supervised release on his conviction of money laundering, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan imposed the sentence on Tien Nguyen, 34, of Sachse, TX.
According to information presented to the court, individuals involved in the scheme convinced elderly or otherwise vulnerable persons, through deceit, to send their funds to accounts set up at various banks and brokerage houses. The accounts were created in the names of other victims whose personal identification information had been stolen (PII accounts). Nguyen, as part of the money laundering aspect of the scheme, accessed the PII accounts, used a portion of the money to make payments on his credit cards and mortgage, and then sent the bulk of the funds to the leader of the money laundering portion of the scheme, Thien Phuc Tran. The Court ordered Nguyen to pay restitution to the victims who lost money in the sum of $259,122.16.
Assistant United States Attorneys Stephen R. Kaufman and Robert S. Cessar prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Olshan commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Secret Service for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Nguyen.
Skysville Woman Sentenced to Prison for Distribution of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA – A resident of Sykesville, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 70 months of imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release on her conviction for violating federal narcotics and money laundering laws related to a nine-month Title III wiretap investigation into drug trafficking in and around the counties of Jefferson, Clearfield, and Allegheny, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
United States District Judge Christy Criswell Wiegand imposed the sentence on Christina Shaffer, age 55.
According to information presented to the court, Shaffer was a methamphetamine distributor who obtained over a pound of methamphetamine from Derek Hillebrand, which Shaffer then redistributed. Additionally, Shaffer’s residence was searched on July 20, 2021, and approximately 280 grams of methamphetamine was seized.
Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan D. Lusty prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Olshan commended the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, United States Postal Service – Office of Inspector General, United States Postal Inspection Service, Internal Revenue Services, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Allegheny County Police, and Pennsylvania State Police. Also assisting were the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office, Clearfield County District Attorney’s Office, and the Clarion Borough Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Shaffer. This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
New Castle Resident Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking and Firearm CrimesRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, PA – Sahire Walker was convicted of committing crack cocaine trafficking and firearm crimes, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
Walker, age 45, of New Castle, Pennsylvania, pled guilty before United States District Judge David Stewart Cercone. Walker pled guilty to committing the following crimes on June 4, 2020: (1) possession of cocaine base with intent to distribute, and (2) possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Judge Cercone scheduled sentencing to occur on March 26, 2024, at 11:00 a.m.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of at least 5 years and up to life in prison and a fine of up to $2,250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is to be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Craig W. Haller is prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States.
The New Castle Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives conducted the investigation leading to the convictions in this case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.