Western District of Pennsylvania
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Pittsburgh Man Sentenced for Role in Drug Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was sentenced in federal court to 18 months of imprisonment on his conviction of conspiring to distribute and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan imposed the sentence on Cayce Williams, 23, of the Allentown neighborhood of Pittsburgh.
According to information presented to the Court, between March 2024 and July 2024, Williams participated in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, both scheduled controlled substances, by functioning as a redistributor of street-level amounts of the drugs.
Assistant United States Attorneys Katherine C. Jordan and Kelly M. Locher prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
Acting United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Williams.
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.
Pittsburgh Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking and Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to fentanyl and heroin trafficking and violating federal firearms laws, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
Antonio Arrington, 23, of the Allentown neighborhood of Pittsburgh pleaded guilty before United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan to conspiring to distribute and possession with intent to distribute quantities of fentanyl and heroin and possession of a firearm and ammunition as a felon.
In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, between March 2024 and July 2024, Arrington participated in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and heroin, both scheduled controlled substances, by functioning as a redistributor of street-level amounts of the drugs. In April 2024, law enforcement recovered a loaded stolen firearm from Arrington’s vehicle. Arrington has multiple prior felony convictions involving drug trafficking and firearms. Federal law prohibits possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon.
Judge Horan scheduled sentencing for January 15, 2026. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1 million, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorneys Katherine C. Jordan and Kelly M. Locher are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and City of Duquesne Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Arrington.
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.
Guatemalan Man Sentenced for Illegal Reentry into USRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Guatemala pleaded guilty to a charge of illegal reentry of a removed alien and was sentenced to time served on his conviction, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
Senior United States District Judge Joy Flowers Conti imposed the sentence on Esvin Emilio Lopez-Gonzalez, 27.
According to information presented to the Court, Lopez-Gonzalez was previously removed from the United States on May 7, 2018, after illegally entering the country through Arizona. On May 28, 2025, he was encountered by special agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and failed to provide any identification. Immigration authorities determined that Lopez-Gonzalez had not obtained permission to be in the United States after his prior removal and was illegally present in the United States. Lopez-Gonzalez has been in custody since his May arrest and will be returned to immigration custody for removal from the United States.
Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca L. Silinski prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States.
Acting United States Attorney Rivetti commended U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Lopez-Gonzalez.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, combat illegal immigration, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Guatemalan Citizen Sentenced for Assault of Federal Law Enforcement OfficerRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A citizen of Guatemala illegally residing in the United States pleaded guilty to a charge of assaulting, resisting, or impeding a federal law enforcement officer and was sentenced to time served on his conviction, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
Chief United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak imposed the sentence on Juan Jose Antuche-Garcia, 33, on September 15, 2025.
According to information presented to the Court, Antuche-Garcia, a native and citizen of Guatemala, illegally entered the United States on September 3, 2023. After he was released on bond by immigration authorities but failed to appear before the immigration court in May of 2024 as directed, an immigration judge ordered him to be removed from the United States.
On August 12, 2025, Antuche-Garcia was encountered by immigration authorities in the Robinson Township, Pennsylvania, area after federal law enforcement officers attempted to pull over a vehicle in which the defendant was a passenger. Federal law enforcement officers initiated a traffic stop by activating the emergency lighting and sirens on five unmarked vehicles. The driver of the vehicle failed to come to a complete stop and, instead, rammed his vehicle into one of the federal law enforcement officer’s vehicles, pinning an officer’s leg between his own vehicle’s door frame and door. The driver of the vehicle and a rear seat passenger fled from the scene, evading apprehension. Antuche-Garcia, who was the front passenger of the vehicle, also attempted to flee by repeatedly and forcefully opening his door into the door of the vehicle behind which the officer’s leg was pinned, causing additional injury to the officer. Antuche-Garcia has been in custody since his arrest and will remain in custody pending his removal from the United States.
Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca L. Silinski prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States.
Acting United States Attorney Rivetti commended U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations, Homeland Security Investigations, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, and the Drug Enforcement Administration for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Antuche-Garcia.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, combat illegal immigration, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Pittsburgh Woman Sentenced for Vandalizing Jewish PropertiesRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to five years of probation on her conviction of conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States and defacing and damaging a religious building, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
United States District Judge Christy Criswell Wiegand imposed the sentence on Talya A. Lubit, 25.
According to information presented to the Court, Lubit and her codefendant, Mohamad Hamad, conspired to damage and deface the Chabad of Squirrel Hill. The Chabad is a center for Jewish educational programming and occupies a building for Jewish religious services in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh. In the early morning hours of July 29, 2024, acting on their plan to cause damage to a Jewish institution, Lubit and Hamad spray-painted the words “Jews 4 Palestine” with an inverted triangle onto the exterior of the Chabad building with red paint. The inverted triangle first appeared in videos posted online by Hamas, a designated foreign terrorist organization, of the current fighting in Gaza, where the symbol was used to mark an Israeli target about to be attacked by Hamas fighters. The act of vandalism was born from Hamad’s and Lubit’s shared growing animosity towards Israel since the terrorist attack of October 7, 2023, and the war that ensued between Israel and Hamas.
Charges against Lubit’s codefendant Hamad, which also include making false statements in a matter within the jurisdiction of the Executive branch of the United States and possession of destructive devices, remain pending.
As part of her sentence, Lubit agreed to pay restitution of $10,534 for the damage done to the Chabad property, as well as graffiti that she and Hamad spray-painted on an entry sign to the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh the same day.
The sentencing hearing included the reading of victim impact statements from both Chabad of Squirrel Hill and the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh regarding the impact the defendants’ vandalism had on their institutions and community. Chabad of Squirrel Hill described the damage of the spray-painting as “not only physical but deeply symbolic” and “a painful reminder that we remain a target,” with the incident having “caused distress and fear among our members.” The Jewish Federation stated that “the hateful words and symbols painted on our Federation sign revived deep feelings of fear, violation and vulnerability” and that the vandalism’s “premeditated nature based on our remote location made it clear that the target was not just property, but our employees.”
“Talya Lubit instilled fear in the Pittsburgh Jewish community by spray-painting a synagogue with the mark of a designated foreign terrorist organization, along with vandalizing the sign of a building belonging to an organization that provides critical services to members of the Jewish community and others,” said Acting United States Attorney Rivetti. “Protected speech obviously does not include damaging or defacing religious property, and our office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to protect the civil rights of all members of our community to practice their faiths and to live without fear.”
Assistant United States Attorney Carolyn J. Bloch prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
Acting United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Pittsburgh Bureau of Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Lubit.
Imperial Resident Indicted for Illegally Possessing Firearm Equipped with Machinegun Conversion DeviceRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Imperial, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of violating a federal firearms law, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
The one-count Indictment named Ja’Shon Spencer, 21, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment, Spencer is alleged to have possessed a Glock semiautomatic pistol that was equipped with an illegal machinegun conversion device (MCD) on June 16, 2025. A MCD is one that converts a semiautomatic firearm into a fully automatic firearm.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 10 years 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 Kelly M. Locher is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment.
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.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Florida Man Sentenced to 6.5 Years in Prison for $5 Million Fraud Scheme Involving Western Pennsylvania Rental PropertiesRead the Press Release
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - A former resident of Hudson, Florida, was sentenced in federal court to 78 months of imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release, on his conviction of wire fraud conspiracy, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
United States District Judge Stephanie L. Haines imposed the sentence on Paul Andrew Gulbronson, 59, on September 9, 2025.
According to information presented to the Court, Gulbronson and his co-defendant/wife, Kelly Bonilla—who remains a fugitive residing in Panama—operated Citrona Homes from Florida and Johnstown, Pennsylvania, between 2017 and June 2019. The defendants used Citrona as a housing scheme in which they induced investors through telemarketing calls and online solicitations to purchase Citrona-owned homes or properties in Johnstown by promising to rent “fully renovated” properties to Section 8 tenants. Citrona bought distressed properties and sold them to mostly out-of-state investors at greatly inflated prices, with the promise that they were renovated, tenant-occupied, and managed by Citrona. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) settlement records revealed that, between June 2017 and June 2019, Citrona purchased over 100 homes for approximately $2 million and resold them for approximately $6 million. Very few of the properties were habitable, and some were vacant lots. Financial and bank records identified over $5.3 million that Citrona received from investors, with the investors having lost approximately $5 million of that amount.
“Over the course of several years, Paul Gulbronson misled investors regarding the condition and status of their Citrona Homes properties in order to swindle millions of dollars from those victims, and then—upon learning that he was under investigation for these crimes—fled the United States, leaving dozens of dilapidated properties in his wake,” said Acting United States Attorney Rivetti. “As a result of the outstanding work of our law enforcement partners, Gulbronson has been brought to justice and held accountable for his egregious criminal activity.”
“Gulbronson used a series of lies and misrepresentations to defraud investors into believing they had purchased fully renovated rental properties that would provide them with passive income,” said Lesley Allison, Inspector in Charge of the Pittsburgh Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service. “Instead of fulfilling his promises, he used their money to further the fraud scheme and pay for personal expenses, including restaurants, airline tickets, home furnishings, and lease payments for his residences in Florida. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service constantly strives to protect our customers from losing their hard-earned money through mail fraud schemes and will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to bring those responsible to justice.”
“Paul Gulbronson willfully engaged in a $5 million fraud scheme to induce individuals to make investments on properties under false pretenses, including false statements that payments would be made with federal taxpayer dollars,” said Special Agent in Charge Shawn Rice with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General (OIG). “HUD OIG will continue to work with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and its law enforcement and oversight partners to vigorously pursue those who seek to profit by abusing HUD-funded programs.”
Gulbronson, who did not have an official title within Citrona but operated and controlled Citrona, was directly involved in real estate sales to investors, and oversaw the renovations, or lack of renovations, of the properties associated with Citrona. Gulbronson and Bonilla operated Citrona’s sales office in the Holiday, Florida, area from at least June 2017 through May 2019, which included a call center from which employees placed sales calls to potential investors. Between October 2017 and May 2019, Citrona also had a management office, located at 329 Market Street in Johnstown, which operated the property management side of the business including handling complaints from tenants and investors, collecting and depositing rent payments, coordinating repairs and maintenance, and writing checks to pay employees.
Gulbronson and Bonilla used Citrona as a mechanism for enriching themselves by defrauding investors into purchasing unrenovated properties at prices far above fair market value through a series of false pretenses, representations, and promises. Investigators confirmed, for example, that the photos investors were able to view on the company’s website of “available” properties were actually staged and did not accurately depict the investment properties. Gulbronson falsely represented to some of the investors that the properties would be fully renovated at the time of the sale, or that the properties would be fully renovated within a specified period following the sale, when they were not, while some properties were condemned or vacant land when they were sold to unknowing investors.
Assistant United States Attorneys Maureen Sheehan-Balchon and Brendan T. Conway prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
Acting United States Attorney Rivetti commended the United States Postal Inspection Service and Department of Housing and Urban Development–Office of Inspector General for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Gulbronson.
Blairsville Man Pleads Guilty to Supplemental Security Income Fraud and TheftRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Blairsville, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of fraud and theft of government property, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
Tarance Benjamin Foster, 68, pleaded guilty before Senior United States District Judge Joy Flowers Conti to one count of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) fraud and one count of theft of government property.
In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that Foster applied for SSI benefits—a monthly, needs-based payment benefit afforded to people with disabilities and the elderly who have little or no income—through the Social Security Administration (SSA). Applicants are required to report their wages, assets, and living arrangements as factors for consideration in determining eligibility for SSI.
In 2025, SSA learned that wages were posted to Foster’s record from nine different employers, with employment records establishing that Foster worked from January 2020 through June 2025. Had Foster informed the SSA of his income during this time, he would not have received any SSI benefits. In total, Foster obtained over $34,000 in SSI benefits for which he was not eligible.
Judge Conti scheduled sentencing for January 21, 2026. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 10 years of imprisonment, a fine of up to $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.
Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Foster.
Pittsburgh Man Sentenced to Prison for Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 70 months of imprisonment on his conviction of bank robbery, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon imposed the sentence on Mark Laughner, 38, on September 4, 2025, and included an order that the defendant pay restitution to the bank.
According to the information presented to the Court, on May 16, 2024, Laughner entered a Reserve Township bank wearing a baseball cap and neck gaiter that covered his mouth and nose and instructed the teller to give him all of her large bills. After the teller handed over the $100 and $50 bills from her cash drawer, the defendant demanded that the teller provide more cash quickly or he would shoot her in her face. Laughner left the bank with $1,370 in U.S. currency and was ultimately identified through the utilization of surveillance recordings as well as witness interviews.
Allegheny County Police Department (ACPD) detectives obtained a warrant for Laughner’s arrest, and, on May 20, 2024, attempted to apprehend the defendant when detectives observed him in the passenger seat of a vehicle outside of a Pittsburgh fire station. As detectives converged on the vehicle with their emergency lights activated, the driver exited the vehicle. Laughner jumped from the passenger side of the vehicle into the driver’s seat and began fleeing detectives by driving in reverse at a high rate of speed. Ignoring multiple verbal commands to stop, Laughner came within inches of striking two ACPD detectives before stopping, exiting the vehicle in the middle of the street, and fleeing on foot. Using a police K-9 unit, law enforcement apprehended Laughner after finding him hiding in thick brush.
Assistant United States Attorney V. Joseph Sonson prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States.
The Allegheny County Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Laughner.
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.
Owner of Facility for Intellectually Disabled Adults Pleads Guilty to Health Care FraudRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of the East Hills neighborhood of Pittsburgh pleaded guilty in federal court to health care fraud, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
Kelley Oliver-Hollis, 61, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge William S. Stickman IV. Through her plea, Oliver-Hollis also acknowledged responsibility for 39 other counts with which she was charged by Superseding Indictment in August 2025, including making false statements relating to health care matters, concealment of material facts related to health care matters, money laundering, and misuse of Social Security benefits by a representative payee (read the Superseding Indictment news release here).
In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that Oliver-Hollis was an enrolled Medicaid provider operating as Serenitycare LLC in Penn Hills, Pennsylvania, under the state’s Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver Program, through which the defendant housed and was to have provided services to several intellectually disabled adults, including staffing the homes with adequate workers to care for the residents. Program records demonstrated that, between 2018 and 2023, Oliver-Hollis failed to sufficiently staff the homes according to the requirements of the program, and instead regularly submitted weekly claims for HCBS benefits falsely representing proper staffing of the homes. Additionally, Oliver-Hollis allowed the homes to fall into a state of disrepair, resulting in multiple citations for unsanitary and unsafe living conditions for the residents.
Judge Stickman scheduled sentencing for February 10, 2026. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to10 years in prison, a fine of up to $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 Attorneys Gregory C. Melucci and Brendan J. McKenna are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office, Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, Social Security Administration-Office of the Inspector General, and U.S. Department of Labor-Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Oliver-Hollis.
The United States Attorney’s Office’s efforts to combat healthcare fraud are frequently made possible by tips from the community. To report suspected fraud, please contact the FBI’s healthcare fraud tipline at [email protected] or the Department of Health and Human Services at 1-800-HHS-TIPS.
Canonsburg Resident Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Sexual Exploitation of Minors and Destruction of EvidenceRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A former resident of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced in federal court on August 27, 2025, to 240 months in prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $28,000 in restitution to his victims for his convictions of violating federal law regarding the sexual exploitation of minors and the destruction of evidence, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan imposed the sentence on Justin Darby, 37.
According to information presented to the Court, on or about October 28, 2021, Darby knowingly altered and destroyed records associated with an instant messaging application on his cellular telephone with the intent to impede and obstruct an investigation of Darby for offenses involving the sexual exploitation of children when agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation attempted to execute a search warrant at the defendant’s residence. Darby additionally was convicted for attempting to induce and inducing a minor to send to him an image of the minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct over a social media application on February 6, 2024. Darby also accepted responsibility for additional offenses involving the sexual exploitation of minors, including the inducement of three other minors to send him visual depictions of themselves engaged in sexually explicit conduct through text messages and social media applications during 2023 and early 2024.
In imposing the sentence, Judge Ranjan emphasized that the sentence was justified by Darby’s lack of respect for the law and continued pattern of criminal behavior.
Assistant United States Attorney Heidi M. Grogan prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
Acting United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Darby.
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.
Braddock Felon Sentenced to More Than Eight Years in Prison for Drug and Firearm CrimesRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was sentenced in federal court to 100 months of imprisonment on his conviction of drug trafficking and illegally possessing firearms, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
United States District Judge William S. Stickman IV imposed the sentence on Jeffrey Lee Hancock Jr., 41, of the Braddock neighborhood of Pittsburgh, on September 2, 2025.
According to information presented to the Court, on April 25, 2024, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Pennsylvania State Police executed a search warrant of Hancock’s residence in connection with an ongoing investigation into drug trafficking activity by Hancock and two co-conspirators. As investigators entered the residence, Hancock threw a bag containing approximately 50 bricks of fentanyl from the second story window of the home. Inside the residence, investigators also found an additional 200 bricks of fentanyl and $2,902, as well as two handguns, which Hancock was prohibited from possessing based upon his prior felony convictions. Hancock admitted to conspiring to distribute a total of between 280 and 400 grams of fentanyl.
Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Stickman noted Hancock as a “recidivist drug trafficker and illegal gun user” who was involved in “poisoning our community” through “the dark and dangerous drug trade.” Judge Stickman stated that a sentence of 100 months—at the high end of the advisory guideline range—reflects the serious nature of Hancock’s crimes and should signal to others that a “career of crime [will be] met with stiff federal time.”
Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca L. Silinski prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
Acting United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Pennsylvania State Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Hancock.
Arnold Resident Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl and Heroin TraffickingRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Arnold, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of fentanyl and heroin trafficking, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
Kevin Watson, 36, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge W. Scott Hardy to possession with the intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 100 grams or more of heroin.
In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, on April 26, 2019, Watson was pulled over by the Pennsylvania State Police for traffic violations, with a young child present in the back seat of Watson’s vehicle. When asked to get out of the vehicle, Watson sped away from the traffic stop and led officers on a high-speed chase that reached speeds of 115 mph. Eventually, Watson crashed the vehicle and fled on foot, leaving the child, who was not seriously injured, alone and unattended in the vehicle. Later, the Pennsylvania State Police obtained a search warrant for the vehicle, which revealed more than $100,000 of a mixture containing fentanyl and heroin in the trunk. Watson has an extensive criminal history that includes, among other convictions, three previous drug trafficking convictions, and was on parole at the time of this offense.
Judge Hardy scheduled sentencing for January 8, 2026. The law provides for a total sentence of not less than 10 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $10 million, 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, Watson will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service.
Assistant United States Attorneys Kelly M. Locher and Barbara K. Doolittle are prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States.
The Pennsylvania State Police and Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Watson.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.
Wampum Resident Sentenced to 17 Years in Prison for Production of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A former resident of Wampum, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 17 years of imprisonment, to be followed by 15 years of supervised release, on his conviction of producing material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
United States District Judge Christy Criswell Wiegand imposed the sentence on Thomas Hyatt-Baney, 22, on August 28, 2025. The Court ordered that restitution will be imposed at a future hearing.
According to information presented to the Court, on June 25, 2023, from 12:30 p.m. ET to 12:37 p.m. ET, using his phone, Hyatt-Baney produced three video clips depicting the sexual exploitation of a toddler. The sentence imposed also reflected Hyatt-Baney’s responsibility for the production of another video of the toddler and the possession of hundreds of videos and still images depicting the sexual exploitation of minors.
Assistant United States Attorney Carolyn J. Bloch prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
Acting United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Pennsylvania State Police and Homeland Security Investigations for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Hyatt-Baney.
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.
Federal Jury Finds Clearfield County Man Guilty for Role in Targeted Bombing Resulting in DeathRead the Press Release
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - After deliberating for four hours, a federal jury on August 27, 2025, found Kris Joseph Nevling, 48, of Clearfield, Pennsylvania, guilty on charges of conspiracy to maliciously destroy property by explosive or fire and possession of an unregistered destructive device, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
Nevling was tried before United States District Judge Stephanie L. Haines in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
The evidence presented at trial established that, in and around early October 2019, Nevling and co-defendant Clint Addleman aided and abetted each other in the construction and possession of a destructive device—a bomb—which was subsequently concealed inside a package addressed to the victim using her nickname. At approximately 4:30 a.m. on October 4, 2019, the package containing the bomb was dropped off and left outside of the door to the victim’s first floor apartment in a multi-unit rental property in Clearfield. Later that morning, the bomb detonated inside the victim’s apartment, killing the victim and causing a fire that destroyed the building.
The jury also determined the victim’s death to be a result of the commission of the offense of conspiring to maliciously destroy property by explosive or fire.
Judge Haines scheduled sentencing for January 7, 2026. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to life in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based on the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Nevling’s co-defendant Addleman is scheduled for trial in late October.
Assistant United States Attorneys Maureen Sheehan-Balchon, Shaun E. Sweeney, and Samantha A. Stewart prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Clearfield Regional Police Department, and Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Nevling.
Donora Man Convicted at Trial of Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking CrimeRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – After deliberating for four hours, a federal jury in Pittsburgh on August 27, 2025, found Tre Robert Goins guilty of one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
Goins, 31, of Donora, Pennsylvania, was tried before Senior United States District Judge Joy Flowers Conti.
The evidence presented during the day and a half trial established that, on May 24, 2024, Goins fled from a traffic stop initiated by the City of Duquesne Police Department, leading law enforcement on a high-speed chase at speeds in excess of 100 mph that ended with Goins totaling his vehicle. From the vehicle, police recovered fentanyl, cocaine, and a stolen loaded firearm. The jury found that Goins possessed the firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking activities.
In July 2025, Goins pleaded guilty to two other charges relating to the same incident: possession with intent to distribute quantities of fentanyl and cocaine, and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. For these charges, the law provides for a total sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1 million, or both, with Goins facing a total sentence of not less than five years and up to life in prison (to be served consecutively to the drug trafficking crime sentence), a fine of up to $250,000, or both, on his trial conviction for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendant.
Judge Conti scheduled sentencing for Goins’ three violations of federal drug trafficking and firearms laws for October 22, 2025.
Assistant United States Attorneys Kelly M. Locher and Katherine C. Jordan are prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the City of Clairton and Duquesne Police Departments, and the Elizabeth Township Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Goins.
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 Columbus, Ohio, Lawyer Sentenced for Making False Statements to FBIRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A former Columbus, Ohio, lawyer has been sentenced in the Southern District of Ohio to two years of probation and a $15,000 fine on his conviction for making false statements to the FBI, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
Chief United States District Judge Sarah D. Morrison imposed the sentence on Dennis W. McNamara, 74, of Columbus, on August 21, 2025.
According to information presented to the Court, McNamara—then a practicing lawyer in the Southern District of Ohio—represented a cooperating witness who provided information into a drug trafficking and sex trafficking organization operating in Columbus. At the time, McNamara was separately engaged in a sexual relationship with a female sex worker. McNamara informed the sex worker that he represented the cooperating witness and provided the woman with details of his client’s cooperation, placing his client at great risk of potential harm. When agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation questioned him regarding his disclosures, McNamara lied to agents about having revealed the information.
In imposing the sentence, Judge Morrison emphasized the seriousness of the offense.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio was recused from the investigation and prosecution of this matter; the matter then was assigned to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania.
Assistant United States Attorney Mark V. Gurzo prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
Acting United States Attorney Rivetti commended the FBI’s Southern Ohio Public Corruption Task Force, which includes special agents and officers from the FBI, Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and Columbus Division of Police, as well as the Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of McNamara.
West View Resident Charged with Producing, Receiving, and Possessing Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal law regarding the sexual exploitation of a minor, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
The three-count Indictment named Kevin Patrick Brown Jr., 35, of the West View neighborhood of Pittsburgh as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment, in and around August of 2019, Brown used, persuaded, induced, enticed, and coerced a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct. The Indictment also charges Brown with receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material in August 2019 and October 2021, respectively.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 30 years 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 offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Kelly M. Locher is prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment.
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.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Guatemalan Citizen Sentenced to Prison and Removal from U.S. for Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A citizen of Guatemala pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of illegal reentry of a removed alien and was sentenced to 60 days of imprisonment and removal from the United States on his conviction, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan imposed the sentence on Domingo Gonzalez Perez, 43, on August 20, 2025.
According to information presented to the Court, Gonzalez Perez has attempted to enter and/or has entered the United States illegally on four occasions, and has been illegally present in the United States since at least October 2024 after having been previously removed from the country.
Gonzalez Perez was arrested on October 9, 2024, by local law enforcement on a charge of domestic assault. In April 2025, while his domestic violence case was pending in state court and with an active federal arrest warrant, the defendant was arrested by Pennsylvania State Police in Bedford County on charges of driving under the influence and evading arrest.
Gonzalez Perez has been in custody since his April arrest and will be returned to immigration custody for removal from the United States after serving his federal sentence.
Assistant United States Attorney V. Joseph Sonson prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
Acting United States Attorney Rivetti commended Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Pennsylvania State Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Gonzalez Perez.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, combat illegal immigration, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Bridgeville Resident Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Production of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Bridgeville, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 15 years of imprisonment, to be followed by 10 years of federal supervised release, on his conviction of producing child sexual abuse material, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
United States District Judge W. Scott Hardy imposed the sentence on Matthew A. Trax, 25.
According to information presented to the Court, Trax enticed a 14-year-old female to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depictions of such conduct. Trax then sent the minor images and a video of himself engaged in sexual intercourse with the female, which Trax had recorded on his phone.
Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Hardy stated that Trax’s federal offense was extremely serious and noted how such conduct victimizes the most vulnerable members of our community—children. Judge Hardy further stated that the imposed federal sentence serves to not only punish the defendant for his conduct and to protect the community, but to also deter Trax and other individuals who may seek to exploit children from engaging in such conduct.
Assistant United States Attorney Nicole A. Stockey prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
Acting United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Mt. Lebanon Police Department, South Fayette Police Department, and Allegheny County Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Trax.
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.
Pittsburgh Felon Indicted for Possession of Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of violating a federal firearms law, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
The one-count Indictment named Jamar Perminter, 26, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment, on or about July 31, 2025, Perminter possessed a firearm and ammunition as a previously convicted felon. Federal law prohibits possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 15 years 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 of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Kelly M. Locher is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Ohio Resident Sentenced to 12.5 Years in Prison for Sex Trafficking of Minor and Coercion and Enticement of Adult Female for Commercial SexRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Euclid, Ohio, has been sentenced in federal court to 150 months in prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, on his conviction of sex trafficking of a minor and coercion and enticement of an adult for the purpose of commercial sex, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
United States District Judge William S. Stickman IV imposed the sentence on Donte Lashawn Cole on August 18, 2025. Cole also is required to comply with the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act and register as a convicted sex offender.
According to information presented to the Court, Cole transported a female minor from Ohio to a hotel in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, in May of 2023 to engage in commercial sex. Additionally, Cole enticed and coerced an adult female across state lines, also for the purpose of engaging in commercial sex. Cole used online advertisements to market the victims for commercial sex services in Western Pennsylvania and elsewhere from April 2023 to October 2023.
Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Stickman labeled Cole’s conduct as “evil” and noted that Cole “victimized minor girls, crossed state lines, and treated the girls like property for (his) own gain.”
“The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to working with our local, state, and federal partners to stand against human trafficking and the exploitation of children and hold sex traffickers such as Donte Cole accountable,” said Acting United States Attorney Rivetti. “We will remain vigilant in ensuring that anyone seeking to profit through the exploitation of any child or adult is identified, investigated, and brought to justice.”
“Human traffickers such as Donte Cole prey on the vulnerable, inflicting unimaginable suffering and robbing victims of their dignity and freedom,” said Special Agent in Charge of HSI Philadelphia Edward V. Owens. “This case spotlights the depravity of those who exploit others for profit. Homeland Security Investigations will never stop working to ensure these predators are held accountable. We remain relentless in our mission to rescue victims, dismantle trafficking operations, and bring justice to those who have endured such horrific abuse.”
“This predatory trafficker was calculated in how he selected his victims, choosing vulnerable individuals who he then manipulated into situations where their livelihood depended on being at his beck and call,” Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday said. “Human trafficking is dehumanizing—some of the most egregious conduct we encounter in society. I commend our federal partners for collaborating to reach a resolution that ensures Donte Cole will be far away, for many years, from anyone else he can exploit, manipulate, and abuse.”
Assistant United States Attorney Robert Schupansky and Special Assistant United States Attorney Summer Carroll (Assistant Chief Deputy Attorney General) prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
Acting United States Attorney Rivetti commended Homeland Security Investigations and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Cole.
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.
Rochester Felon Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Possession of Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A former resident of Rochester, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to the statutory maximum of 10 years of prison, to be followed by three years of federal supervised release, on his conviction for possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon imposed the sentence on James Gilmore, 35.
According to information presented to the Court, on June 9, 2021, law enforcement attempted a traffic stop of a vehicle Gilmore was driving in relation to an active arrest warrant for a parole violation. Rather than pull over, Gilmore fled from the stop, throwing a loaded firearm with an attached extended magazine capable of holding 30 rounds of ammunition from the vehicle during the chase. Gilmore then abandoned the vehicle and continued his flight on foot through a residential area. Although Gilmore evaded law enforcement that night, officers recovered a gray sweatshirt similar to one that officers observed Gilmore wearing as he fled as well as a pill bottle, which was later determined to contain various controlled substances. Forensic testing determined that Gilmore’s DNA was a potential contributor to the DNA profiles found on both the firearm the defendant threw during the vehicle chase and the sweatshirt recovered from the yard through which he ran. An examination of the firearm revealed that it was previously reported stolen.
In arguing for the statutory maximum, the prosecution highlighted that Gilmore’s prior convictions and sentences had not deterred him from engaging in crime. Gilmore’s previous sentences included terms of imprisonment of from two to four years and four to eight years. Additionally, at the time Gilmore committed this federal firearm crime, he was on parole related to his most recent firearm and controlled substances crimes, which involved similar facts, with Gilmore also having led law enforcement on a vehicle chase before abandoning the vehicle and throwing a stolen handgun and packaged controlled substances while fleeing on foot.
Assistant United States Attorneys Brendan J. McKenna and V. Joseph Sonson prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
Acting United States Attorney Rivetti commended the New Brighton Area Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Gilmore.
Los Angeles County, California Resident Sentenced to Prison for Large-Scale Fraud Claiming Loss or Damage to over 6,000 Ground ShipmentsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Hacienda Heights, California, pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud and was sentenced in federal court to nine months of imprisonment, to be followed by three years of federal supervised release, on his conviction, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
On August 14, 2025, Ting Hong Yeung, 43, pleaded guilty before Chief United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak, who then imposed the sentence.
According to information presented to the Court, from in and around August 2018 through in and around June 2020, Yeung, using various corporate entities, submitted or caused to be submitted over 6,000 fraudulent claim requests for lost or damaged ground package shipments that were not actually lost or damaged. Yeung subsequently received settlement payments related to these fraudulent claim submissions for lost or damaged shipments.
Prior to imposing sentence, Chief Judge Hornak noted the seriousness of Yeung’s offense and the impact that this large-scale fraud had on the ground package delivery company.
Assistant United States Attorney Nicole A. Stockey prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
Acting United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Yeung.
Two Pittsburgh Residents Charged with Coercing a Minor to Engage in Sexually Explicit ConductRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa – Two residents of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of Sexual Exploitation of Children, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
The six-count sealed Indictment was returned last month, and named Karen R. Allen, 37, and James Clark, 38. The Indictment has since been unsealed, and both defendants appeared for arraignment in federal court today before United States Magistrate Judge Kezia O. L. Taylor.
According to the Indictment, on multiple occasions in August of 2024, Allen and Clark coerced a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depictions of this conduct.
The law provides for a minimum sentence of 15 years and up to 30 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentences imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendants.
Assistant United States Attorney Robert Schupansky is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation 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.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Honduras Citizen Pleads Guilty to Illegal Re-Entry into the U.S. and Social Security FraudRead the Press Release
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - A citizen of Honduras pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of violating federal immigration and fraud laws, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
Jose Mejia-Sarmiento, 66, pleaded guilty to Counts One through Nine of the Indictment before United States District Judge Stephanie L. Haines.
In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that on three separate occasions between 1996 and 2016, Mejia-Sarmiento was found in the United States after having been deported and removed from the United States, including after having been convicted of a felony on the latter occasion. Further, Mejia-Sarmiento made false statements to the Social Security Administration on four different occasions between May 2024 and February 2025 in the Western District of Pennsylvania, by possessing and using the identification of another person.
Judge Haines scheduled sentencing for December 9, 2025. The law provides for a sentence of not more than 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 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 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations, Department of Homeland Security Investigations, and the Social Security Administration – Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Mejia-Sarmiento.
Superseding Indictment Against Pittsburgh Health Care Facility Owner Adds Charges of Social Security Fraud and Concealing Material Facts Related to Health Care MattersRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A federal grand jury in Pittsburgh has returned a Superseding Indictment against a Pittsburgh resident on charges of health care fraud, making false statements relating to health care matters, concealment of material facts related to health care matters, money laundering, and misuse of Social Security benefits by a representative payee, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
The 40-count Superseding Indictment named Kelley Oliver-Hollis, 61, of the East Hills as the sole defendant.
According to the Superseding Indictment, from December 2016 to July 2023, Oliver-Hollis, as owner of SerenityCare LLC, located in Penn Hills, schemed to overbill Pennsylvania Medicaid in connection with services SerenityCare provided to residents with intellectual disabilities. Oliver-Hollis was initially indicted on 33 counts in April 2024 (read the Indictment news release here).
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on the health care fraud and money laundering charges, and up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on the false statements relating to health care matters, concealment of material facts relating to health care matters, and Social Security fraud charges. 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 Gregory C. Melucci is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service, Department of Health and Human Services, Social Security Administration - Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Department of Labor, Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office, and Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General conducted the investigation leading to the Superseding Indictment.
A superseding indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The United States Attorney’s Office’s efforts to combat healthcare fraud are frequently made possible by tips from the community. To report suspected fraud, please contact the FBI’s healthcare fraud tipline at [email protected] or the Department of Health and Human Services at 1-800-HHS-TIPS.
Serbian Student Enrolled at Erie University Charged with Receipt and Possession of Material Depicting the Sexual Exploitation of a MinorRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A Serbian national residing in Syracuse, New York, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal laws relating to the sexual exploitation of minors, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
The two-count Indictment named Lav Adamov, 20, of Zrenjanin, Serbia—who is in the United States on a student visa to attend an Erie, Pennsylvania, university—as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment, from on or about January 13, 2025, to on or about May 15, 2025, Adamov received material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor. The Indictment further alleges that, in May of 2025, Adamov was found to be in possession of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor.
As to the receipt charge, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. As to the possession charge, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of 10 years in prison, a 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.
Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the City of Erie Police Department, and the university’s police conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment.
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.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Rossiter Man Convicted at Trial of Unlawful Possession of Destructive DeviceRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - After deliberating for one and a half days, a federal jury in Pittsburgh found Roam L. Beer guilty of one count of unlawful possession of a destructive device, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
Beer, 51, of Rossiter, Pennsylvania, was tried before Senior United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer.
The evidence presented during the day and a half trial established that, on January 5, 2024, Beer threw an ignited homemade explosive device, which had been weaponized with steel shot, at the side of the residence of his estranged wife, who was in the room immediately inside the wall of the house where Beer threw the device, but was uninjured in the incident.
Judge Fischer scheduled sentencing for November 18, 2025. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based on the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Pending sentencing, the Court ordered that Beer remain in custody.
Assistant United States Attorney Shaun E. Sweeney prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and New Kensington Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Beer.
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.
Homewood Felon Charged with Possession of FirearmsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Homewood, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of violating a federal firearms law, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
The one-count Indictment named Chaz Mitchell, 35, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment, on or about July 5, 2025, Mitchell had three firearms and ammunition in his possession after having been convicted of two prior felonies, including on state firearm charges. Federal law prohibits possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 15 years 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 of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney V. Joseph Sonson is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment.
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.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Pittsburgh Man Sentenced to More Than Five Years in Prison for Armed Fentanyl TraffickingRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was sentenced in federal court to 63 months of imprisonment, to be followed by five years of federal supervised release, on his convictions of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
Senior United States District Judge David S. Cercone imposed the sentence on Marques Coffey, 21, on August 5, 2025.
According to information presented to the Court, on or about March 4, 2023, Coffey knowingly possessed with intent to distribute a quantity of fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance. He also knowingly possessed a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking offense, in this instance, a Glock with a switch or automatic conversion kit. Both the fentanyl and the firearm were recovered by law enforcement in a satchel that Coffey was wearing.
Assistant United States Attorney Nicole A. Stockey prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
Acting United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with the Bellevue Borough Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Coffey.
Four Arizona Residents Plead Guilty to Kingpin Statute or Drug Trafficking Violations in Connection with Transnational Criminal OperationRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Four individuals from Arizona have pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of violating federal narcotics and money laundering laws in relation to an international drug trafficking organization (DTO), Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today. The defendants were among 35 individuals charged through a Second Superseding Indictment unsealed in January 2024 for their participation in a domestic and international narcotics and money laundering conspiracy involving substantial quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine (read the Second Superseding Indictment news release here).
Pleading guilty before United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan were:
Plea Date
Defendant
Age
Residence
August 4
Marcos Monarrez Jr.
26
Phoenix, Ariz.
July 31
Erivan Guerrero
25
Phoenix, Ariz.
Donald Garwood
43
Glendale, Ariz.
July 30
Jesus Aaron Garcia
25
Phoenix, Ariz.
In connection with the guilty pleas, the Court was advised that, at various times from September 2022 to November 2022, Monarrez Jr.—a co-leader, along with his father Marcos Monarrez-Mendoza, of the Phoenix-based Monarrez Drug Trafficking Organization—was intercepted over a federal wiretap obtaining hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine, millions of fentanyl pills, and kilograms of cocaine from a Mexican national drug supplier. Monarrez Jr. provided the drugs to a network of subordinate drug distributors who redistributed them throughout the country, including into western Pennsylvania. Additionally, Monarrez Jr. provided over $10,000 in proceeds from the drug sales to couriers, who smuggled the money into Mexico to promote the drug trafficking operation.
Further, in the Western District of Pennsylvania and elsewhere, the defendants conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, 400 grams or more of fentanyl, and 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. The defendants were intercepted on a federal wiretap obtaining quantities of the drugs that they distributed to others. Additionally, from in and around May 2022 to in and around March 2023, Guerrero conspired to commit money laundering by using bulk amounts of currency obtained from drug trafficking to conduct financial transactions to disguise the nature of the money and promote the drug trafficking conspiracy. Similarly, Guerrero provided money to his suppliers knowing it would be transported to Mexico to further promote the drug trafficking conspiracy.
Monarrez Jr. also pleaded guilty at the same proceeding to a charge from the Eastern District of Michigan of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl from in and around February 2019 to on or about December 14, 2021.
Judge Ranjan scheduled sentencings for Garcia, Guerrero, and Garwood for November 6, 2025, and for Monarrez Jr. for December 5, 2025. The law provides for a sentence of mandatory life imprisonment for Monarrez Jr. The other defendants face a maximum total sentence of not less than 10 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $10 million, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense(s) and the prior criminal history, if any, of each defendant.
The guilty pleas follow those of 22 additional co-defendants, with nine of those co-defendants having been sentenced thus far.
Assistant United States Attorneys Arnold P. Bernard Jr. and Tonya S. Goodman are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Laurel Highlands Resident Agency and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of the defendants. Additional agencies participating in this investigation include the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, United States Postal Inspection Service, and other local law enforcement agencies.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, combat illegal immigration, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
Ten Defendants from Pennsylvania, California, and Michigan Charged with Trafficking Methamphetamine, Heroin, Fentanyl, Para-fluorofentanyl and Other NarcoticsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - Six Pennsylvania residents, two California residents, and two Michigan residents have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on narcotics charges, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
The four-count Indictment named the following 10 individuals as defendants:
Name
Age
City, State
Christopher Love
28
Homestead, Pa.
Terrence Spivey
29
Detroit, Mich.
Jonathan Toledo
25
Turtle Creek, Pa.
Darren Cooper
38
Los Angeles, Calif.
Raymone Grier Jr.
24
Detroit, Mich.
Patti Miller
59
Altoona, Pa.
Calil Francois-Moon
20
Homestead, Pa.
Dolly Mullens
54
Curwensville, Pa.
Paityn Phears
24
Los Angeles, Calif.
Joanne Shaw
37
Warriors Mark, Pa.
According to the Indictment, the defendants allegedly conspired to possess with intent to distribute and distributed 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine, 100 grams or more of para-fluorofentanyl, 100 grams or more of heroin, 10 grams or more of carfentanil, 40 grams or more of fentanyl, and a quantity of cocaine from November 2023 to March 2025. The Indictment also alleges individual drug trafficking offenses against Toledo and Mullens.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 10 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $20 million, or both for all of the defendants except Mullens, who faces a maximum total sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $500,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense(s) and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan D. Lusty is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The multi-agency investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration and included the United States Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Internal Revenue Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Pennsylvania State Police, Clearfield Regional Police Department, Altoona Police Department, and Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General.
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.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Titusville Resident Indicted on Child Exploitation ChargesRead the Press Release
ERIE, Pa. - A resident of Titusville, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Erie on charges of violating federal laws relating to the sexual exploitation of children, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
The four-count Indictment named David Garrett Struchen, 20, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment, in and around June and July of 2024, Struchen induced a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a depiction of such conduct. Struchen also possessed these depictions and distributed them to the minor victim.
The law provides for a total sentence of up to 30 years in prison, a fine of up to $500,000, 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.
Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Titusville Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment.
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.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Federal Jury Convicts Texas Man of Cocaine TraffickingRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Jorge Luis Guerrero, of Socorro, Texas, was found guilty by a federal jury in Pittsburgh of possessing with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today. The jury returned its verdict on July 29, 2025, after deliberating for five-and-a-half hours following a six-day trial.
Guerrero, 39, was tried before Senior United States District Judge Joy Flowers Conti.
The evidence presented at trial established that Guerrero transported five kilograms of cocaine to the Western District of Pennsylvania hidden in a secret compartment in the bumper of a vehicle registered to his wife. Accessing the cocaine required removing the bumper cover and bumper of the vehicle and then additional metal plates that concealed the compartment housing the cocaine.
Judge Conti scheduled sentencing for December 10, 2025. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than five years and up to 40 years in prison, a fine of up to $5 million, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based on the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorneys Robert C. Schupansky and V. Joseph Sonson prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States.
Agents and task force officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, as well as personnel from the Socorro Police Department, United States Customs and Border Protection, and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, assisted in the trial.
New Castle Felon Sentenced to Six Years of Prison for Narcotics and Firearm ViolationsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A former resident of New Castle, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to violations of federal drug and firearm laws and was sentenced to six years of imprisonment on his conviction, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
United States District Judge W. Scott Hardy imposed the sentence on Michael Rodich, 41, on July 28, 2025.
According to information presented to the Court, on September 29, 2023, Rodich was arrested by the New Brighton Police Department. At the time of his arrest, Rodich, who was wanted by the Hermitage Police Department on an open arrest warrant, had a loaded firearm in his waistband as well as drug paraphernalia, crack, fentanyl pills, and $2,380 on his person. In his backpack, Rodich also had two baggies of crack, a bag of powder cocaine, a glass container of powder cocaine, stamp bags of fentanyl, drug paraphernalia, a digital scale, a loaded magazine containing 10 rounds of ammunition, and 27 rounds of loose ammunition. Rodich was previously convicted of a felony. Federal law prohibits possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon.
In connection with his plea, Rodich admitted to possessing controlled substances with the intent to distribute, possessing a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking crime, and to illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon.
In imposing sentence, Judge Hardy stated that, among other things, “third-party deterrence is very important to this Court” and that perhaps those who are considering committing similar crimes will realize that there are “very significant consequences” if they are caught and will “think differently” before they act.
Assistant United States Attorneys Rebecca L. Silinski and Jacqueline C. Brown prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States.
Acting United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives as well as the Hermitage Police Department, New Brighton Police Department, and Ellwood City Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Rodich.
Hollidaysburg Lawyer Pleads Guilty to Forging U.S. District Judge’s SignatureRead the Press Release
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A resident of Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court on July 25, 2025, to violating federal forgery laws, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
Michael Brandon Cohen, 41, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge Stephanie L. Haines to two counts of forging the signature of a United States District Judge.
In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, in 2022, Cohen was licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Cohen was retained to represent a victim in a civil lawsuit against a healthcare company, and informed the victim that he filed the lawsuit on the victim’s behalf in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania; however, Cohen never filed the lawsuit.
On May 18, 2022, and October 13, 2022, Cohen sent the victim fake court orders purportedly issued by Chief United States District Judge for the Middle District of Pennsylvania Matthew W. Brann in the victim’s favor against the healthcare company. The orders awarded the victim monetary sanctions and fees and bore the electronic signature of the Chief Judge. Chief Judge Brann never issued the orders and, therefore, did not authorize his electronic signature on the orders. Rather, Cohen forged Chief Judge Brann’s signature on the fake orders in an effort to authenticate their legitimacy to his victim client.
Judge Haines scheduled sentencing for November 18, 2025. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $500,000, 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.
Assistant United States Attorneys Carl J. Spindler and Mark V. Gurzo are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Cohen.
Following Fatal Hit-and-Run, Mexico Resident Sentenced to Prison for Illegal Reentry into U.S.Read the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – On July 28, 2025, a resident of Mexico pleaded guilty to a charge of illegal reentry of a removed alien and was sentenced to 14 months of imprisonment on his conviction, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan imposed the sentence on Saul Ramirez-Rivera, 26.
According to information presented to the Court, on September 21, 2024, Ramirez-Rivera was involved in a deadly hit-and-run in Dormont, Pennsylvania, for which he was charged, later pleaded guilty, and was sentenced for homicide by vehicle, accident involving death or injury while not licensed, reckless driving, driving without a license, and failure to stop at a red signal.
Through this encounter with law enforcement, immigration authorities determined that Ramirez-Rivera was illegally present in the United States and had not received permission to enter the country after having been previously removed on February 13, 2019, following a conviction in federal court in Arizona for illegal entry. After serving his sentence, Ramirez-Rivera will be returned to immigration custody pending his removal from the United States.
Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca L. Silinski prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States.
Acting United States Attorney Rivetti commended U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations as well as the Allegheny County Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Ramirez-Rivera.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, combat illegal immigration, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Farrell Resident Pleads Guilty to Possession of Drugs and FirearmRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Farrell, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to drug trafficking and firearm crimes, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
Daniel George, 36, pleaded guilty before Chief United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak to committing two crimes on July 7, 2022: (1) possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base, along with quantities of fentanyl and cocaine, and (2) possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 10 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $5,250,000, 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.
Assistant United States Attorney Craig W. Haller is prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States.
The Mercer County Drug Task Force, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of George.
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.
Belle Vernon Woman Ordered to Pay $116,000 in Restitution for Social Security FraudRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to one year of probation and ordered to pay restitution of $116,758 on her convictions of social security fraud and theft of government property, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan imposed the sentence on Teresa Sabolek, 68.
According to information presented to the Court, in May 2009, Sabolek applied for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits through the Social Security Administration (SSA). SSI is a monthly, needs-based payment benefit that is afforded to people with disabilities and elderly who have little or no income. Applicants are required to report their wages, assets, and living arrangements, which are considered by the agency in determining eligibility for SSI.
In her application, Sabolek alleged that her husband did not live with her at their Belle Vernon home and, in June 2022, submitted a signed statement in which she declared under penalty of perjury that her husband had not lived with her since she first applied for SSI in May 2009. Also in 2022, Sabolek applied for spousal benefits on her husband’s Social Security benefits. When the SSA clerk pulled the husband’s file, the clerk recognized that the file contained a sworn statement from the husband indicating that he shared a residence with his wife in Belle Vernon.
A subsequent investigation by SSA’s Office of the Inspector General determined that the husband’s driver’s license, mailing address, and registered vehicles all related to the same address where Sabolek represented to the SSA that she lived alone for over 13 years. In December 2024, agents visited the Sabolek home, where the husband answered the door and it was determined that the husband indeed had a room in the house and paid the home’s mortgage and utilities. Had Sabolek informed the SSA that her husband also lived at the residence, she would not have received any SSI benefits. Sabolek received $116,758 in SSI benefits for which she was not eligible between May 2009 and August 2022.
Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
Acting United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Sabolek.
Aliquippa Felon Sentenced to Nearly Four Years in Prison for Illegal Possession of FirearmRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, was sentenced in federal court to 45 months of imprisonment, to be followed by three years of federal supervised release, on his conviction of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
United States District Judge William S. Stickman IV imposed the sentence on Tyland Witherspoon, 28, on July 28, 2025.
According to information presented to the Court, on or about June 19, 2024, Witherspoon was found to be in possession of a Glock 23 .40 caliber pistol along with Smith & Wesson .40 caliber ammunition. Witherspoon previously was convicted of a felony. Federal law prohibits possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon.
Upon imposing the sentence, Judge Stickman noted the danger that illegal firearms present to our community and the seriousness of Witherspoon’s offense.
Assistant United States Attorney Nicole A. Stockey prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
Acting United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Pittsburgh Bureau of Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Witherspoon.
Ten Indicted on Racketeering Charges Related to Cambria County PrisonRead the Press Release
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Ten residents of Pennsylvania and Arizona have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Johnstown on charges of violating racketeering laws, including acts of bribery conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, and conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute various controlled substances, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
The two-count Indictment, returned on July 22 and unsealed today, named the following 10 individuals as defendants:
Lakesha Stith, 45, of Johnstown, Pa.;
Ashley Aguilar, 26, of Phoenix, Ariz.;
Mikal Davis, 48, incarcerated at Indiana County Jail;
James Johnson-Ross, 26, of Altoona, Pa.;
Marcos Monarrez Jr., 26, incarcerated at FDC Philadelphia;
Jessica Niebauer, 34, of Altoona, Pa;
Monique Valencia, 29, of Phoenix, Ariz.;
Blake Young, 36, incarcerated at SCI Laurel Highlands;
Asiah Young-Atwell, 30, of Johnstown, Pa.; and
Carlos Zamora, 29, incarcerated at Northeast Ohio Correctional Center.According to the Indictment, from in and around July 2023, and continuing until on or about December 19, 2023, Stith, Davis, Johnson-Ross, Monarrez, Young, Young-Atwell, and Zamora conducted and participated in the affairs of an enterprise through racketeering activities inside the Cambria County Prison (CCP) in Cambria County, Pennsylvania. The Indictment alleges that Stith and Young-Atwell, who were employed as a correctional officer and medical staff nurse, respectively, at the facility, received bribes from inmate defendants Davis, Johnson-Ross, Monarrez, Young, and Zamora in exchange for bringing contraband—including controlled substances such as K2 (a Schedule 1 synthetic cannabinoid), Tetrahydrocannabinol (a Schedule 1 component in cannabis), and Suboxone, cellular phones, security tools, and cigarettes—into the prison.
Stith and Young-Atwell hid the contraband in lunch bags and containers in order to smuggle it through the prison’s screening system and then delivered the contraband items to various locations throughout the prison. These locations included the prison’s medical department, which contained private examination rooms without security cameras; numerous pre-arranged stash locations such as storage closets where inmates could later retrieve the hidden items; and the cells and housing units of inmate defendants, with some of whom Stith and Young-Atwell had engaged in personal/intimate relations and warned of planned cell searches as well as other inmates providing information to the prison administration regarding the contraband activity.
The inmate defendants used the contraband phones to coordinate smuggling and contraband trafficking with Stith, Young-Atwell, and individuals outside of the CCP (including Aguilar, Niebauer, and Valencia, each of whom are charged in a separate count of conspiracy to commit money laundering in relation to the racketeering activity) who facilitated their contraband trafficking activities. The inmates and co-conspirators also sold these phones and other contraband items to other CCP inmates at substantial profit, with an average price of $10,000 for cellular phones and from $75 up to $250 for Suboxone strips. View the full Indictment here.
“It is extremely dangerous when individuals employed within our prison systems choose to abuse their authority at the expense of the safety and well-being of inmates they are charged with overseeing,” said Acting United States Attorney Rivetti. “Not only did the correctional officer and medical staff member in this case engage in inappropriate personal relations with inmates and accept bribes for sneaking contraband into the prison, which the defendant inmates then sold to others at a substantial profit, but they also provided confidential information about planned inmate cell searches and other internal security matters. Working with our law enforcement partners, we will ensure that this criminal abuse of trust is prosecuted regardless of whether those committing the acts are inside or outside of the confines of the prison.”
“Today’s RICO Indictment underscores the critical importance of our concerted efforts to protect both public and inmate safety,” said Special Agent in Charge of HSI Philadelphia Edward V. Owens. “This investigation has revealed the significant threat posed by transnational criminal organizations within our correctional facilities. The successful outcome of this operation is directly attributable to the effective interagency cooperation between Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The inherent challenges of bringing RICO cases to trial highlight the exceptional skill and dedication of our investigators and prosecutors. Together, we remain steadfast in our commitment to dismantling criminal enterprises and ensuring the security of our communities.”
“Prisons have unique security challenges that are complex and require all involved to act in accordance with the law and procedures,” said Cambria County District Attorney Greg Neugebauer. “Inspections and reviews of compliance are an integral part of ensuring the maintenance of security at any prison to ensure the health and safety of inmates and correction officers alike. When it became apparent that certain individuals within the Cambria County Prison were engaging in corrupt activities, prison leadership, the Prison Board, and law enforcement took appropriate steps to contain the problem and worked alongside our federal partners to ensure that these perpetrators of criminal activity were brought to justice. We appreciate the special relationship that we enjoy with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and we thank them for their hard work on this matter. This is yet another example of the successes our community experiences when local, state, and federal entities all work together toward a common goal.”
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 20 years 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 offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendants.
Assistant United States Attorneys Maureen Sheehan-Balchon and Shaun Sweeney are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, the Cambria County District Attorney’s Office, and the Cambria County Prison conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment.An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Erie Felon Sentenced to Six Years of Prison for Fentanyl Trafficking and Possession of Stolen FirearmsRead the Press Release
ERIE, Pa. - A former resident of Erie, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 72 months of imprisonment, to be followed by four years of supervised release, on his conviction of violating federal drug and firearms laws, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
United States District Judge Susan Paradise Baxter imposed the sentence on Djimon Dapree Johnson, 27, on July 24, 2025.
According to information presented to the Court, on or about October 20, 2021, Johnson possessed with the intent to distribute 382.61 grams of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl. In addition, Johnson possessed two stolen firearms and a 50-round 9mm drum magazine as a convicted felon. Federal law prohibits possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon.
Judge Baxter ordered that Johnson’s federal sentence be served consecutive to the sentence Johnson is already serving for violation of his parole for an unlicensed firearm conviction.
Assistant United States Attorney Molly W. Anglin prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
Acting United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Pennsylvania State Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Johnson.
Three Pennsylvania Residents Sentenced to Prison for Narcotics TraffickingRead the Press Release
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Three residents of Pennsylvania have been sentenced in federal court on their convictions of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute quantities of crack cocaine, cocaine, fentanyl, heroin, and/or methamphetamine, with one of the defendants also being sentenced for unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
DefendantAgeResidenceSentenceAzheem Ellis49Philadelphia, Pa.96 months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised releaseJames Dotson47Johnstown, Pa.180 months in prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised releaseSandra Box59East Conemaugh, Pa.33 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release
The sentences imposed by United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan were:According to information presented to the Court, from in and around April 2019 to in and around July 2021, in the Western District of Pennsylvania, Ellis conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of a mixture of fentanyl, 50 grams or more of a mixture of methamphetamine, and quantities of heroin, cocaine, and crack. During this same timeframe, Dotson conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, 500 grams or more of a mixture of methamphetamine, 28 grams or more of a mixture of crack, 40 grams or more of a mixture of fentanyl, and quantities of heroin and cocaine. Additionally, in and around June 2021, Dotson—who had been previously convicted of a felony—unlawfully possessed a firearm. Federal law prohibits possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon. Further, from in and around February 2021 to in and around April 2021, Box conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute quantities of heroin and crack. The defendants were intercepted on a federal wiretap obtaining quantities of the drugs that they distributed to others, with Ellis and Dotson as two of the main targets of the wiretap investigation.
Assistant United States Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
Acting United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Laurel Highlands Resident Agency and Homeland Security Investigations for the investigation that led to the successful prosecution of the defendants. Additional agencies participating in this investigation include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Internal Revenue Service–Criminal Investigation, United States Postal Inspection Service, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Pennsylvania State Police, Cambria County District Attorney’s Office, Indiana County District Attorney’s Office, Cambria County Sheriff’s Office, Cambria Township Police Department, Indiana Borough Police Department, Johnstown Police Department, Upper Yoder Township Police Department, Richland Police Department, Ferndale Police Department, 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.
Charleroi Staffing Agency Owner Sentenced to Prison and Ordered to Pay More Than $3.6 Million in Restitution for Harboring Illegal Aliens and Failing to Pay Employment TaxesRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 30 months of imprisonment and ordered to pay $3,630,479.13 on his convictions of failing to pay employment taxes and harboring individuals who were not legally authorized to be in the United States, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon imposed the sentence on Andy Ha, 28. Ha pleaded guilty to the charges in February of 2025 (read the plea news release here).
According to information presented to the Court, Ha was the president and owner of the Charleroi staffing agency Prosperity Services, Inc., where Ha employed individuals who were not legally authorized to be in the United States, and paid for such workers to stay in a former hotel. Ha signed false employment tax returns on behalf of the agency, in which Ha reported less than 10% of Prosperity’s employees. Ha and Prosperity failed to pay taxes on the other unreported employees, resulting in a tax loss of at least $3.1 million over the course of a year.
Assistant United States Attorney William Guappone prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
Acting United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Ha.
Bon Air Man Pleads Guilty to Involvement in Drug Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to fentanyl and cocaine trafficking, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
DeVaughn Faulk, 28, of the Bon Air neighborhood of Pittsburgh, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan to conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute quantities of fentanyl and cocaine.
In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, between March 2024 and July 2024, Faulk participated in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, both Schedule II controlled substances, by functioning as a redistributor of street-level amounts of both substances.
Judge Horan scheduled sentencing for November 12, 2025. The law provides for a total sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1 million, 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, Faulk will remain in custody.
Assistant United States Attorneys Katherine C. Jordan and Kelly M. Locher are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Faulk.
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.
Akron Man Sentenced to Prison for Methamphetamine TraffickingRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Akron, Ohio, has been sentenced in federal court to 46 months of imprisonment on his conviction of conspiring to distribute and distributing methamphetamine, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
United States District Judge Christy Criswell Wiegand imposed the sentence on Charles Woods, 67.
According to information presented to the Court, investigators identified Woods as a methamphetamine supplier for a drug trafficking operation between Akron, Ohio, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Investigators searched Woods’ residence and obtained approximately 294 grams of methamphetamine. In court, Woods admitted that he conspired to distribute and distributed between 500 grams and 1.5 kilograms of methamphetamine over a five-month period.
Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca L. Silinski prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
Acting United States Attorney Rivetti commended Homeland Security Investigations, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Pennsylvania State Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Woods.Pittsburgh Felon Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking and Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession with the intent to distribute quantities of fentanyl and cocaine and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
Ronell Cathie, 31, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan on July 16, 2025.
In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, between March 2024 and July 2024, Cathie participated in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, both Schedule II controlled substances. Additionally, on July 19, 2024, during the execution of a search warrant at Cathie’s residence, law enforcement recovered a stolen firearm, a magazine, and ammunition. Cathie has multiple prior felony convictions for firearms. Federal law prohibits possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon.
Judge Horan scheduled sentencing for November 12, 2025. The law provides for a total sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1 million, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendant.
Pending sentencing, Cathie will remain in custody.
Assistant United States Attorneys Katherine C. Jordan and Kelly M. Locher are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Cathie.
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.
Elizabeth Man Indicted for Making Antisemitic Threat to Injure Local Public Official and Making False Statements to FBIRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Elizabeth, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of making a threat to injure a local public official and making false statements to government agents, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
The two-count Indictment named Edward Arthur Owens Jr., 29, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment and an earlier federal criminal complaint (read the news release regarding the complaint here), on or about May 20, 2025, Owens knowingly and willfully transmitted via a social media messaging app the following threat to injure a local public official: “We’re coming for you [emoji of person raising right hand] [German flag emoji] be afraid. Go back to Israel or better yet, exterminate yourself and save us the trouble. 109 countries for a reason. We will not stop until your kind is nonexistent.” The complaint explains that the reference to “109 countries,” according to the Anti-Defamation League, is an antisemitic assertion that Jews have been expelled from 109 different countries; it is used by antisemites to call for the expulsion of Jews from other countries and otherwise to promote hatred. The recipient of the message is a local official who regularly engages with the public.
The Indictment further alleges that, on or about May 30, 2025, Owens made false statements to special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, telling the agents that his firearms—which included a .22 LR caliber rifle, an AR-15 style rifle, and a 9mm caliber Smith & Wesson pistol—were all in the custody of his mother, that he did not know where the firearms were, and that he did not have access to any of them. According to the Indictment, Edwards did, in fact, know that his 9mm caliber Smith & Wesson pistol was still in his custody and control (located inside of the vehicle Edwards drove immediately prior to making his false statements to the FBI agents), that he still had access to this pistol, and that the pistol was not in his mother’s custody.
Owens remains in custody after being ordered detained by the Court at the request of the U.S. Attorney’s Office following the defendant’s arrest. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to five years 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 offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Carl J. Spindler is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Armed Drug Trafficking Felon from Duquesne Sentenced to More Than 20 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Duquesne, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 248 months of imprisonment, to be followed by six months of supervised release, on his conviction of federal drug trafficking and firearm offenses, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
United States District Judge Christy Criswell Wiegand imposed the sentence on Courtney Washington Jr., 31, who a federal jury in September 2024 found guilty of two counts of violating federal firearms laws. Prior to that trial, Washington pleaded guilty to related charges of distribution of fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
According to information presented to the Court, Washington was a large-scale fentanyl trafficker on whose residence law enforcement officers executed a search warrant on April 17, 2023. As officers called for Washington to exit the home, Washington unsuccessfully attempted to destroy drugs by placing them in a washing machine, with officers later finding approximately $45,000 worth of fentanyl in the machine. Law enforcement also recovered, approximately six feet from the fentanyl, a loaded and stolen .45 Glock handgun that Washington attempted to conceal in the rafters above the washing machine. Having previously been convicted of a federal drug trafficking felony, Washington is prohibited by federal law from possessing a firearm or ammunition.
Assistant United States Attorneys Brendan T. Conway and V. Joseph Sonson prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
Acting United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Allegheny County Police Department, and Duquesne Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Washington.