Western District of Pennsylvania

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Three residents of Johnstown, Pa., were indicted by a federal grand jury in Johnstown on charges of violating federal narcotics and firearms laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

The seven-count indictment named as defendants the following individuals: James Andre Hendricks, 38; Logan Tyrell Harris, 32; and Dian Shanell Lassiter, 31.

According to the indictment presented to the court, from Aug. 8, 2013, through Aug. 22, 2013, James Andre Hendricks, Logan Tyrell Harris and Dian Shanell Lassiter conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin.

In addition, on Aug. 8, Aug. 20 and Aug. 22, 2013, Hendricks distributed less than 100 grams of heroin on each of those occasions, and on Aug. 22, 2013, Hendricks, Harris and Lassiter possessed with the intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin.

On Aug. 22, 2013, James Andre Hendricks was found in possession of a Sturm & Ruger, Model P95, 9mm pistol. On Dec. 3, 2007, Hendricks was convicted in Bedford County, Pa., of drug trafficking, which is a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year. On Aug. 22, 2013, Logan Tyrell Harris was found in possession of a Sturm & Ruger, Model P345, .45 caliber pistol. On May 20, 2004, Harris was convicted in Union County Superior Court of New Jersey of resisting arrest, which is a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year. Federal law prohibits persons who have been convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year from possessing firearms.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence for James Andre Hendricks of 150 years in prison, a fine of $13,250,000, or both; for Logan Tyrell Harris, 90 years in prison, a fine of $10,250,000, or both; and for Dian Shanell Lassiter, 80 years in prison, a fine of $10,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie L. Haines is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Laurel Highlands Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Cambria County Drug Task Force conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

According to Mr. Hickton, this case is being prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a collaborative effort by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and communities to prevent, deter and prosecute gun crime.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

PITTSBURGH – An Indiana, Pa., resident has been sentenced in federal court to 60 months in prison, to be followed by 12 years of supervised release, on his conviction of possession of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer imposed the sentence on Christopher Murdock, 27.

According to information presented to the court, on or about Nov. 17, 2012, Murdock possessed visual depictions, namely, videos and images in computer graphics files, the production of which involved the use of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

Assistant United States Attorney Jessica Lieber Smolar prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the Pennsylvania State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Murdock.

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.

ERIE, Pa. - A former resident of Franklin, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to ten months in jail on his conviction of failure to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

United States District Judge David S. Cercone imposed the sentence on Thomas K. Baker, 56.

According to information presented to the court, Baker knowingly failed to update his registration as required by the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.

Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the United States Marshal’s Service for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Baker.

PITTSBURGH - A former City of Pittsburgh employee has been sentenced in federal court to three years supervised release which consists of six months home detention and a $6,000 fine on her conviction of conspiracy, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon imposed the sentence on Christine Kebr, 57, of Pittsburgh, Pa.

According to information presented to the court, Kebr was an employee of the City of Pittsburgh with responsibility for installing radios and mobile data terminals (MDTs) in City Police cars. She conspired with others to create a company, Alpha Outfitters, in order to steer a city contract to Alpha Outfitters, for the installation of MDTs in police cars. Alpha received the contract in part by fraudulently representing that the company was a Women's Business Enterprise (WBE).

Assistant United States Attorneys Robert S. Cessar and Lee J. Karl prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Kebr.

ERIE, Pa. - A former resident of Erie, Pennsylvania has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Erie on charges of violating federal drug laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

The three-count indictment named Jamie Darnell Pacely, 35, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment presented to the court, on three occasions, Pacely possessed with intent to distribute and distributed less than 28 grams of crack cocaine.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 60 years in prison, a fine of $3,000,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Marshall J. Piccinini is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The EAGLE task force, which is comprised of members of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Erie Police Department, and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General Bureau of Narcotics Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

PITTSBURGH, PA - A New Jersey woman pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of fraudulently transmitting postal money orders, and making, uttering and passing counterfeit security, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Shawn S. Foote, 46, of Atlantic City, New Jersey, pleaded guilty to two counts before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon.

In connection with the guilty plea, Foote traveled to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from Atlanta Georgia, to sell counterfeit U.S. Postal Money Orders and counterfeit bank checks to another for the purpose of being fraudulently negotiated.

Judge Bissoon scheduled the sentencing for May 28, 2014, at 10 a.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 15 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 Paul E. Hull is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The United States Postal Inspection Service and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Shawn S. Foote.

PITTSBURGH - A Brooklyn, NY, resident has been sentenced in federal court to 54 months of probation, which includes six months of home detention with electronic or GPS monitoring, on his conviction of conspiracy and passing counterfeit currency, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak imposed the sentence on Edwin Phillip, 29.

According to information presented to the court, Phillip conspired and passed counterfeit currency during the period of Nov. 9, 2012, through Nov. 30, 2012.

Assistant United States Attorney Shardul S. Desai prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the United States Secret Service for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Phillip.

ERIE, Pa. - An inmate at the McKean Federal Correctional Institution in Bradford, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty and was sentenced in federal court to 10 months in jail on his conviction for possession of contraband in prison, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

United States District Judge David S. Cercone imposed the sentence on Bernardo Granado- Velasquez, 42. The sentence was imposed to run consecutively to the sentence Granado-Velasquez is currently serving.

According to information presented to the court, on or about March 22, 2013, Granado- Velasquez was in possession of contraband, namely, a quantity of heroin.

Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

U.S. Attorney Hickton commended Officers of the McKean Federal Correctional Institution for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Granado-Velasquez.

ERIE, Pa - Two residents of Erie, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of robbery of a United States postal station, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Elijah Devon Sherrod, 19 and Latisha Marie Palochak, 23, each pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge David S. Cercone.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on or about July 16, 2013, the defendants robbed an individual of money and property that was under the control of the United States.

Judge Cercone scheduled sentencing for June 9, 2014. The law provides for a total sentence of ten years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both for each defendant. 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 defendants.

Pending sentencing, the court continued Palochak on bond.

Assistant United States Attorney Marshall J. Piccinini is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The EAGLE task force, which is comprised of members of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Erie Police Department, and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General Bureau of Narcotics Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Sherrod and Palochak.

PITTSBURGH – An Allegheny County man has been sentenced in federal court to 25 months in prison and $1,190,957.86 in restitution on his conviction of false statements and concealing information on pension plan documents, U.S. Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

United States District Judge Mark Hornak imposed the sentence yesterday on Merrill J. Druggs, 67, of Gibsonia, Pa.

According to the information presented to the court, Druggs was a Tax Manager for Oerlikon USA Holding, Inc., and a Plan Administrator and Trustee of an Oerlikon employee pension plan covering 1,400 persons. In 2011, after 34 years of employment with Oerlikon, Druggs was fired when the embezzlements were discovered. Druggs embezzled monies in several ways: by diverting Oerlikon monies to bank accounts using addresses of post office boxes that he created and controlled and his personal residence; by setting up an unauthorized 401(k) plan for his benefit and the benefit of two employess who he directly supervised, and used Oerlikon's money to fund it; and by using Oerlikon checks and a company American Express card to pay for his personal expenses. Druggs was able to embezzle $718,518 over a period of several years. The restitution ordered by the court included an additional amount of $472,439.86 to reimburse Orelikon and the pension plan for lost earnings on the embezzled monies.

Before imposing sentence the court said that this was a “carefully calculated plan” and that Druggs used his “education, experience and learning” to steal from Oerlikon and the pension plan. The court noted that Druggs was a trusted fiduciary of Oerlikon and the pension plan, and further explained that in order to function, our “system of commerce relies upon the trust we place in fiduciaries” such as Druggs. By abusing that trust Druggs conduct was “by any measure a very serious offense”.

Assistant United States Attorney Nelson P. Cohen prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Labor, Pension Benefit Welfare Administration, for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Merrill J. Druggs.

PITTSBURGH - A California man has been sentenced in federal court to time served (2 ½ months imprisonment), 12 months home detention, and five years of supervised release, on his conviction of violating the federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Chief United States District Judge Joy Flowers Conti imposed the sentence on Dominick Spickle, 80, of Sacramento, Calif.

According to information presented to the court, Spickle was involved in a conspiracy to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine.

Assistant United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Pennsylvania State Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Spickle.

PITTSBURGH – Daniel Young has been sentenced in federal court to 63 months imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release on his conviction of conspiracy and structuring financial transactions, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today. Young was also ordered to forfeit $440,000 in money and equipment.

United States District Judge David S. Cercone imposed the sentence on Young, 42, of Eighty- Four, Pa.

According to information presented to the court, Daniel Young and his co-defendants, Kimberly Ostrander and Dennis Young, participated in a conspiracy in which they structured financial transactions with financial institutions and businesses to avoid the filing of Currency Transaction Reports. Currency Transactions Reports are required to be filed when financial institutions and businesses receive in excess of $10,000 in cash. Young, who is serving a 12- to 24-year sentence for drug trafficking, structured approximately $260,000 in cash from his drug trafficking proceeds to purchase his home, heavy equipment, and a vehicle. Young and his co-conspirators used a variety of bank accounts and individuals to structure the cash payments.

Assistant United States Attorney Brendan T. Conway prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Daniel Young.

PITTSBURGH - A Plum Borough resident has been sentenced in federal court to 135 months in prison on her convictions of filing false tax returns, failing to file tax returns, and mail fraud, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon imposed the sentence on Lisa Gerideau-Williams, 47, of Kensington, Pa.

According to information presented to the court, Gerideau-Williams was an attorney who operated a mortgage broker business called Genesis Home Solutions, and two companies specializing in closing real estate transactions - Millennium Settlement Services and Professional Settlement Solutions. Through these companies Gerideau-Williams operated a complex and multi-faceted fraud scheme.

One aspect of the scheme involved the submission of loan applications to lenders. The loan applications were fraudulent because Gerideau-Williams submitted them without the authority of the borrowers and they contained false information related to the borrowers' financial condition. For example, Gerideau-Williams submitted loan applications on behalf of her brother and her elderly aunt that were not authorized by either. In addition, Gerideau-Williams represented to lenders that her elderly aunt owned and operated a lucrative cleaning business when, in fact, her aunt was a retired state worker. Gerideau-Williams also furthered the fraud by submitted fake documents supporting the misrepresentations in the loan applications and by forging the signature of her brother and her aunt.

Gerideau-Williams' fraud also related to her operation of businesses that closed real estate transactions. Gerideau-Williams received money from lenders into her trust account that was required to be disbursed to pay liabilities associated with the collateral. In that way the lender would stand in the first lien position related to the collateral. Gerideau-Williams, rather than paying those liabilities, would simply take the money and use it to support her lavish lifestyle.

Gerideau-Williams also defrauded borrowers. Borrowers paid for title insurance and for other services such as recording deeds and mortgages. Rather than providing these services, however, Gerideau-Williams simply took the fees for those services, but failed to actually provide those services.

Title insurance companies were also victimized by Gerideau-Williams' fraud. At closings, Gerideau-Williams collected fees from borrowers for title insurance. Gerideau-Williams, however, failed to remit those payments to the title insurance companies. In addition, some of the title insurance companies terminated Gerideau-Williams authority to issue title insurance under their names. Despite the termination, however, Gerideau-Williams continued to issue title insurance on fraudulent transactions as if she was authorized to do so.

Gerideau-Williams' fraud was particularly egregious related to property located in Pittsburgh, Pa. Prior to 2005, Gerideau-Williams rented that property and it was her residence. On Sept. 6, 2005, through her fraudulent businesses, she sold the property from the rightful owner to her elderly aunt without the knowledge of either the owner or her aunt. A lender financed the purchase, and Gerideau-Williams simply took all of the proceeds from the transaction for her personal benefit. Gerideau-Williams, however, did not record the deed or the mortgage related to the property and therefore the property still appeared on the public record to be owned by the rightful owner of the property free of any mortgages.

On March 13, 2006, Gerideau-Williams arranged to purchase the property in her own name financed through a fraudulently obtained loan. While she recorded the deed transferring ownership of the property to her own name, she did not record the mortgage and therefore, according to the public record, it appeared that she owned the property free of any liens.

On Aug. 7, 2006, Gerideau-Williams sold the property to her brother, and her brother financed the purchase through a fraudulently obtained loan secured by Gerideau-Williams. Gerideau-Williams received the proceeds from the sale, but she did not record the deed or the mortgage and therefore the public record still showed that she owned the property free of any liens.

On Jan. 19, 2007, Gerideau-Williams sold the property to her brother again, and her brother again financed the purchase through a fraudulently obtained loan secured by Gerideau-Williams. Gerideau- Williams again received the proceeds from the sale, but she again did not record the deed or the mortgage and therefore the public record still showed that she owned the property free of any liens.

Finally, on Feb. 20, 2007, Gerideau-Williams sold the property to her brother again, and her brother again financed the purchase through a fraudulently obtained loan secured by Gerideau-Williams. Gerideau-Williams again received the proceeds from the sale, but she again did not record the deed or the mortgage and therefore the public record still showed that she owned the property free of any liens.

Equally egregious are the various loans Gerideau-Williams secured in the name of her elderly aunt. As mentioned above, Gerideau-Williams arranged for her aunt to purchase property from the rightful owner. That purchase was financed through a loan fraudulently obtained by Gerideau-Williams.

Gerideau-Williams' aunt owned a home in Harrisburg, Pa. On Nov. 2, 2005, Gerideau-Williams arranged for a fraudulent refinance loan collateralized by her aunt's Harrisburg property. On Jan. 30, 2007, Gerideau-Williams arranged for a second fraudulent refinance transaction collateralized by that same property.

On March 12, 2007 and March 21, 2007, Gerideau-Williams, without the authority of her elderly aunt, secured two other refinance transactions collateralized by that same property. For each transaction, Gerideau-Williams took the proceeds from the loans and used those proceeds to support her lavish lifestyle. In neither of those transactions, however, did she record the mortgages. In connection with those transactions she issued title insurance without the authority of the title insurance companies, forged her aunt's signature on various documents, and failed to pay the liabilities associated with the collateral as required by the lenders.

For the 2004, tax year Gerideau-Williams, who took taxation classes at Georgetown University School of Law toward an advanced degree in tax law, filed tax returns that drastically understated her income because she failed to include the more than a million dollars earned in the course of her fraud schemes. For that 2005 and 2006 tax years, she did not file her income tax returns.

Assistant United States Attorney Brendan T. Conway prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the Mortgage Fraud Task Force for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Gerideau-Williams.

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A college student from Russia has been charged in the Western District Pennsylvania for allegedly making two destructive devices that were found in a suitcase in his rented apartment on the Penn State Altoona campus.

U.S. Attorney David J. Hickton of the Western District of Pennsylvania made the announcement.

Vladislav Miftakhov, 18, a legal permanent resident of the United States, was charged in federal court in Johnstown, Pa., with possessing and making an unregistered destructive device.

According to accusations contained in the criminal complaint, Miftakhov constructed the devices using Magnesium, Potassium perchlorate and an aluminum container, which he purchased and had shipped to his residence. The two devices found in Miftakhov’s apartment on Jan. 24, 2014, qualify as destructive devices as defined by federal law and therefore are required to be registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record (NFRTR). The defendant does not have any firearms registered to him in the NFRTR.

The investigation is continuing.

The law provides for a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a $10,000 fine or both.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with assistance from the Pennsylvania State Police, the Blair County District Attorney’s Office and the Altoona Police Department, conducted the investigation leading to the federal charges against Miftakhov. Assistant U.S. Attorney James T. Kitchen is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The charges contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - A resident of Carrolltown, Pa., has been sentenced in federal court to two years probation on her conviction of conspiracy to commit money laundering, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson imposed the sentence on Theresa A. Deckard, 60.

According to information presented to the court, from March 2008 to May 9, 2011, Deckard conspired to commit money laundering.

Assistant United States Attorney John J. Valkovci, Jr., prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

A joint task force, headed by the Laurel Highlands Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Deckard. Other agencies participating on the task force include the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office, Cambria County District Attorney's Office, Carrolltown Police Department, Patton Police Department, Ebensburg Police Department, Portage Police Department and Paint Township Police Department.

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - A resident of Johnstown, Pa., has been sentenced in federal court to 37 months in prison and three years supervised release on her conviction of possession with the intent to distribute cocaine base, commonly known as "crack," United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson imposed the sentence on Ebony R. Thorne, 31.

According to information presented to the court, on Oct. 31, 2012, Thorne possessed less than 28 grams of cocaine base with the intent to distribute it.

Assistant United States Attorney John J. Valkovci, Jr., prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the Laurel Highlands Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Cambria County Drug Task Force for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Thorne.

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - A resident of Elmora, Pa., has been sentenced in federal court to five years probation, the first six months of which must be served by condition of home confinement, and 100 hours of community service on his conviction of conspiracy to possess and distribute marijuana, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson imposed the sentence on Joshua V. Bradley, 36.

According to information presented to the court, from March 2009 to May 9, 2011, Bradley conspired to possess and distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana. Evidence presented to the court at sentencing reflected that Bradley conspired with George M. Lowmaster and others to facilitate and promote Lowmaster's drug distribution organization.

Assistant United States Attorney John J. Valkovci, Jr., prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

A joint task force, headed by the Laurel Highlands Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Bradley. Other agencies participating on the task force include the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office, Cambria County District Attorney's Office, Carrolltown Police Department, Patton Police Department, Ebensburg Police Department, Portage Police Department and Paint Township Police Department.

PITTSBURGH - Two Western Pennsylvania residents have been sentenced in federal court on their convictions of mail fraud, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab imposed a sentence of 40 months in prison and three years supervised release on Derek A. Candelore, aka Dan Kun and Kevin Kelly, 34, of Jeannette, PA 15644, and a sentence of 20 months in prison and two years supervised release on William J. Ray, 30, of Verona, PA 15147. The court ordered restitution for both defendants totaling $2.4 million.

According to the information presented to the court, Candelore and Ray were employed by Penn-Star Energy, LLC of Butler County (hereinafter Penn-Star), as landmen. A landman contacts mineral rights owners on behalf of natural gas production companies to arrange for leases of mineral interests for oil and gas production. Penn-Star acquired mineral rights on behalf of Range Resources Corporation. The mineral rights for four separate blocks of land in Washington County consisting of one hundred or more acres were stolen by Candelore and Ray using forged signatures, fake companies and forged notary signatures and stamps. These frauds began in February 2011 and ended in June 2012. During the scheme Candelore and Ray set up several post office boxes and bank accounts in the names of companies they created. They arranged for deeds and other documents to be filed at the Washington County Recorder of Deeds Offices to make it appear that the true mineral rights owners had transferred their mineral rights to the fake companies they had created. These deeds had forged signatures of several true owners and forged notary signatures and stamps. After they acquired what appeared to be ownership of the mineral rights, the fake companies owned by Candelore and Ray leased and/or sold the mineral rights to innocent and unsuspecting purchasers including local investors, out-of-state investment groups and Range Resources. Candelore exclusively ran two of the schemes and participated in the other two while Ray’s participation was limited to two of the four schemes. In the two schemes that Candelore and Ray did together, they split the money. The total loss to investors of investors was $2,400,144.77. Candelore pocketed $1,856,998.27, and Ray pocketed $543,146.50. The scheme began to unravel when one of the mineral rights owners hired an attorney to sell the mineral rights. The attorney discovered that one of the fake companies, Clark Lumber Company, owned the mineral rights by reason of a deed that bore the forged signature of the true owner.

Assistant United States Attorney Nelson P. Cohen prosecuted these cases on behalf of the government.

U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Candelore and Ray.

PITTSBURGH – On Jan. 30, 2014, after deliberating for three hours, a federal jury of six men and six women found Curtis Delay Brown guilty of one count of violating federal firearms laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Brown, 42, of Pittsburgh, Pa., was tried before United States District Judge Terrence F. McVerry in Pittsburgh, Pa.

According to Assistant United States Attorney Michael Comber, who prosecuted the case, the evidence presented at trial established that on or about July 7, 2012, Brown, being a convicted felon, illegally possessed a Taurus, Model 85 Ultra Lite, .38 Special caliber revolver. Federal law prohibits anyone who has been convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year to possess a firearm.

Judge McVerry scheduled sentencing for May 6, 2014, at 9:30 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of not less than 15 years and up to life 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 revoked the defendant’s bond pending sentencing.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Curtis Delay Brown.

PITTSBURGH - A Utah resident has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

The two-count indictment, returned yesterday, named Ken Barton Burrow, 53, currently incarcerated in the Lawrence County Jail, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment, Burrows conspired with others to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 80 years in prison, a fine of $10,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Gregory C. Melucci is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

Homeland Security Investigations, Customs and Border Protections Air and Marine, along with the Union and Mahoning Township Police Departments, and the Pennsylvania State Police, conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

An indictment is an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

ERIE, Pa. – After deliberating approximately one hour, a federal jury of four men and eight women found Joseph Lee Ollie guilty of three counts of federal firearms violations, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Joseph Lee Ollie, 55, was tried before Senior United States District Judge Maurice B. Cohill Jr. in Erie, Pennsylvania.

According to Assistant United States Attorney Marshall J. Piccinini, who prosecuted the case, the evidence presented at trial established that on November 25, 2011, Ollie engaged in a scheme to burglarize homes on Shadduck Road in North East, Pennsylvania, and in the matter on trial, stole a Mossberg Model 500 shotgun. Ollie’s possession of the firearm was unlawful because he was prohibited from firearm possession as a result of his prior felony convictions and as a result of a domestic abuse restraining order against him. According to information presented in court, Ollie was already convicted, and is currently awaiting sentencing, for attempting to obtain a 9mm handgun from Bob’s Gun Shop in Edinboro, Pennsylvania in April 2011, when he lied on the federal firearm transaction form by failing to disclose his prior felony convictions.

According to United States Attorney Hickton, many of the firearms unlawfully used and possessed in Northwestern Pennsylvania have come from residential burglaries. Targeting those criminals who are burglarizing homes and stealing firearms, and vigorous enforcement of those individuals who are violating federal firearms laws, are important pieces of our anti-violence strategy in the region.

Sentencing on both cases will be scheduled at a later time by Judge Cohill. The law provides for a total sentence of 30 years in prison, a fine of $750,000, 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.

The Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Ollie.

PITTSBURGH - The Pittsburgh Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has implemented the Tip411 system to receive information related to the recent heroin and fentanyl overdoses in the Pittsburgh area.

Information can be sent via text message by entering Tip411 (847411) in the “To” field, and the keyword “PGHOD” followed by the tip information in the text field. All information provided is 100% anonymous.

PITTSBURGH - David J. Hickton, United States Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania, issued the following statement today regarding multiple heroin overdose deaths occurring in Western Pennsylvania over the past ten days:

“The recent dramatic increase in the number of heroin overdoses in our region has quickly become the most pressing crime problem for law enforcement. The United States Attorney’s Office is working closely with our federal, state and local partners to uncover the source of this highly dangerous drug, and to prosecute those responsible for causing these tragic deaths. We will devote all necessary resources to stop the distribution in our area of this most lethal combination, a mix of heroin and fentanyl.

“We urge persons who are addicted, and those of you with loved ones who are addicted, to use this outbreak as a reason to seek treatment. Ingesting this form of heroin obviously carries a far greater risk than is typical, although overdoses are common with any form of heroin. We also ask for cooperation from the community in rooting out the source of these distributions. Anyone with information should contact the DEA at 412-287-3829, or send a text to Tip411 (847411) and the keyword “PGHOD” followed by the tip information, or call their local police department.”

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Sewickley, Pa., has been sentenced in federal court to 10 years imprisonment on her conviction of wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy in connection with a mortgage fraud scheme, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

United States District Judge Joy Flowers Conti imposed the sentence on Denise Bonfilio, 56.

According to information presented to the court, Bonfilio participated in a mortgage fraud scheme that included presenting to lending institutions fraudulent loan applications that overstated the borrowers’ financial condition in connection with loans collateralized by properties located in the Sewickley and Fox Chapel sections of Allegheny County, Pa.

Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Conti stated that it was a serious offense. She said that Bonfilio harmed friends for greed and yet she showed no remorse for what she had done. The sentence was imposed to promote respect for the law.

Assistant United States Attorney James Y. Garrett prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the Mortgage Fraud Task Force for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Bonfilio. The Mortgage Fraud Task Force is comprised of investigators from federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and others involved in the mortgage industry. Federal law enforcement agencies participating in the Mortgage Fraud Task Force include the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, the United States Postal Inspection Service and the United States Secret Service. Other Mortgage Fraud Task Force members include the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, the Bureau of Consumer Protection, the Pennsylvania Department of Banking, the Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Enforcement and Investigations and the United States Trustee’s Office.

PITTSBURGH- A Pittsburgh man has been sentenced in federal court to 60 months in prison after pleading guilty to violating federal drug laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today. This term of imprisonment is to be followed by three years of federal supervised release. United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon imposed the sentence on Dorianne Harris, 20.

According to information presented to the court, from in and around May 2012, and continuing thereafter to in and around March 2013, in the Western District of Pennsylvania and elsewhere, Harris conspired with others to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 100 gram or more of heroin, a Schedule I controlled substance. The Court learned that Harris received multi-brick quantities of heroin from co-defendant Troy Anderson on a regular and continual basis, and that Harris then sold this heroin to others. Each brick of heroin contains 50 stamp bags of heroin, which retail for between $6 and $10 each. Troy Anderson has pled not guilty to the charges against him.

Assistant United States Attorney Eric S. Rosen prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, City of Pittsburgh Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police, Allegheny County Sheriff's Office, McKeesport Police Department, Munhall Police Department, and the West Homestead Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution and sentencing of Dorianne Harris.

PITTSBURGH – A Ross Township man was sentenced today in federal court to 18 months in prison, two years supervised release and restitution of $302,803.16 on his conviction of theft of government property, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

United States District Court Judge Mark R. Hornak imposed sentence upon Chauncey Clinton, 65.

According to information presented to the court, Clinton received and used the Social Security Title II benefits that continued to be issued to his mother, Clara Clinton, after her death on May 7, 1973. From June 1, 1973 to April 3, 2012, Clinton received $304,853.00 in Social Security Administration funds to which benefits he knew he was not entitled.

Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Hornak took into consideration the serious nature of the defendant’s crime, including the fact that the defendant wrongfully took benefit monies totaling over $300,000 for almost 39 years.

Assistant United States Attorney Mary McKeen Houghton prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the Special Agents of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, who conducted the investigation that led to the successful prosecution of Clinton.

PITTSBURGH - A New York City man pleaded guilty in federal court to violating federal narcotic laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Tyrone Parker, 53, of New York, NY, pleaded guilty yesterday to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine before Senior United States District Judge Gustave Diamond. The Court learned that Parker, in the fall of 2012, agreed to provide a Pittsburgh-based confidential source with cocaine and heroin. On Dec. 6, 2012, Parker, acting together with co-defendant James Gray, drove two kilograms of cocaine towards Pittsburgh. The cocaine had been placed in Gray’s van. Both Parker and Gray were subject to traffic stops by Pennsylvania State Troopers, and found inside of Gray’s van was the agreed upon two kilograms of cocaine. James Gray has pleaded not guilty to the conspiracy charge against him.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence for Parker of not less than 10 years and up to life in prison, a fine of $8,000,000, 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. Judge Diamond scheduled sentencing for May 21, 2014.

Assistant United States Attorney Eric S. Rosen is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Tyrone Parker.

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Munhall, Pa., has been sentenced in federal court to 90 months imprisonment after pleading guilty to violating federal drug laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today. This term of imprisonment is to be followed by four years of federal supervised release. United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon imposed the sentence yesterday on Ryan Harper, 37.

According to information presented to the court, from in and around May 2012, and continuing thereafter to in and around March 2013, in the Western District of Pennsylvania and elsewhere, Harper conspired with others to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, a Schedule I controlled substance. Additionally, the indictment charged that, in March, 2013, Harper engaged in a controlled sale of heroin to a confidential informant. Harper had previously pled guilty to these charges contained in the Superseding Indictment.

Assistant United States Attorney Eric S. Rosen prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, City of Pittsburgh Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police, Allegheny County Sheriff's Office, McKeesport Police Department, Munhall Police Department, and the West Homestead Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution and sentencing of Ryan Harper.

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Elk Grove, Calif., pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating the federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Joseph Rojas, 28, pleaded guilty to one count before Chief United States District Judge Joy Flowers Conti.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Rojas conspired to distribute in excess of 50 grams of methamphetamine.

Judge Conti scheduled sentencing for 10 a.m. on May 15, 2014. The law provides for a total sentence of not less than 10 years or more than life in prison, a fine of $10,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, the court revoked Rojas’s bond and ordered him to be detained.

Assistant United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Rojas.

ERIE, Pa. - A former resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania has been sentenced in federal court to 27 months in jail on his conviction of assaulting a federal officer, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Senior United States District Judge Maurice B. Cohill, Jr. imposed the sentence on Ryan Bell, 27.

According to information presented to the court, on January 15, 2013, Bell assaulted a Special Deputy United States Marshal, a member of the U.S. Marshal’s Western Pennsylvania Task Force, who was engaged in official duties as the task force was executing an arrest warrant against Bell.

Assistant United States Attorney Marshall J. Piccinini prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the United States Marshal’s Service for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Bell.

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Washington, Pa., pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal firearms laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Ronald Gardner, 45, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on Feb. 3, 2010, Gardner knowingly possessed a .45 caliber stolen firearm.

Subsequent to the entry of Gardner’s guilty plea, Judge Fischer sentenced Gardner to seven years in federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release.

Assistant United States Attorney Eric S. Rosen is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, together with the City of Washington and South Strabane Township Police Departments, conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Ronald Gardner.

PITTSBURGH – Six residents of Western Pennsylvania and California pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of conspiracy to violate the federal drug laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Stanley Van Bach, 45, of Oakland, Calif.; Quynh Tran, 30, of San Jose, Calif.; Caquaine McGriff, 40, of Pittsburgh, Pa.; Toron Brooks-Chapman, 35, of Pittsburgh, Pa.; Tom Ich Chieu, 35, of Pittsburgh, Pa.; and Poi Tran, 30, of Oakland, Calif., pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute high-quality hydroponic marijuana before United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that co-conspirator Jennifer Chieu moved to Pennsylvania in 2010, and by October of that year was in the drug business, using her old contacts to ship her 10-20 pound packages of high-quality marijuana from California on a daily basis. Chieu then resold the marijuana for $2,400-$4,600 a pound, depending on quality, to a small network of dealers.

United States Postal Inspectors eventually identified more than 250 inbound drug packages, and in excess of 350 outbound parcels containing drug proceeds, with $12,000-$20,000 in each package. The total wholesale value of the marijuana was as much as $16 million, with the retail value being several multiples of that.

Postal inspectors and IRS, FBI, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement special agents observed Chieu making deals out of her Green Tree home and a nail salon she owned on Liberty Avenue in the Bloomfield section of Pittsburgh.

Between January and April 2011, postal inspectors served nine search warrants on outgoing parcels suspected to contain drug proceeds. Each of the parcels contained between $12,000-$20,000 in cash, with the total exceeding $143,000.

Wiretaps were approved for Chieu’s phones and several others between June and October 2011. Chieu and her co-conspirators spoke four languages on the wiretaps – Vietnamese, English, and two Chinese dialects - often switching languages in mid-sentence in an obvious attempt to hamper law enforcement agents and interpreters who might be listening.

Hundreds of hours of drug calls were intercepted between Chieu and her primary Oakland, Calif., drug supplier and other conspirators. On a daily basis, Chieu and her conspirators discussed how much marijuana would be sent, the quality or “brand name” of the product, and how much Chieu would charge for it here and how many packages of cash she planned to send to California the next day.

Tom Chieu, brother to Jennifer Chieu, assisted her in the conspiracy by driving her to drug deals, transporting multiple pounds of marijuana, and mailing cash drug proceeds to California, at Jennifer Chieu’s direction.

Poi Tran and Stanley Van Bach were secondary suppliers in California of marijuana sent to Jennifer Chieu.

Toron Brooks-Chapman and Caquaine McGriff, husband and wife, were local dealers of multiple pounds of marijuana they purchased from Jennifer Chieu.

Quynh Tran was the passenger in a van stopped on July 24, 2011, by the Pennsylvania State Police westbound on the Pennsylvania Turnpike near the Ohio line. More than $136,000 in cash drug proceeds was seized from the van.

About 3500 pounds of marijuana were distributed in the conspiracy. Large seizures of cash demonstrated the broad scope of this drug ring. In April 2012, Chieu and a conspirator were stopped in Utah for a traffic violation. Hidden within their car was more than one-half million dollars in cash. Both individuals refused to claim the cash, with Chieu telling officers she didn’t know how it got there.

Following the indictment of Chieu and 19 other individuals, Chieu was arrested in April 2012, at which time more than $70,000 was seized from her Green Tree home, and $100,000 from a safe deposit box. About a million dollars in cash was seized in this investigation, with homes and cars also seized for forfeiture to the government.

Fourteen of the 20 indicted individuals have now entered pleas of guilty and await sentencing. On Jan. 14, 2014, Jennifer Chieu entered a plea of guilty to drug and money laundering conspiracies.

Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant. The law provides for a total sentence of not less than five years to 40 years in prison and a fine of $5,000,000 or both, for Stanley Van Bach; up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $1,000,000 for Tom Ich Chieu; and up to five years in prison and a fine of $250,000 for Quynh Tran, Caquaine McGriff, Toron Brooks-Chapman, and Poi Tran.

Sentencing has been scheduled for May 20, 2014, for Quynh Tran and Caquaine McGriff; May 21, 2014, for Tom Chieu; May 22, 2014, for Toron Brooks-Chapman; May 28, 2014, for Stanley Van Bach; and June 27, 2014, for Poi Tran.

Assistant United States Attorney Gregory J. Nescott is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation were the lead agencies in this case, and were assisted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Pennsylvania State Police in this investigation that led to the prosecution of these defendants.

PITTSBURGH – On Jan. 16, a Mercer County teen pleaded guilty and was sentenced in federal court on charges of violating federal Hobbs Act conspiracy and Hobbs Act robbery laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Devine Campbell, 19, of Farrell, was 17 years old at the time that he robbed the B&M Market in Farrell on Dec. 20, 2011. Prior to pleading guilty, Campbell waived his right to a juvenile proceeding and agreed to be prosecuted as an adult. Campbell then pled guilty as an adult to two counts before United States District Judge Terrence F. McVerry.

In connection with the guilty plea, the Court learned that on Dec. 20, 2011, Campbell, acting together with Joshua Stewart, entered the B&M Market, a local convenience store in Farrell. Upon entering the store, Campbell, brandishing a .22 caliber handgun, fired off two rounds to scare the proprietor of the store. Campbell then forced the store owner to open his register and hand over more than $100 in cash. While Campbell did this, Joshua Stewart kept watch and served as a “lookout,” making sure that the police did not come in the store. In addition, Stewart stole cigarettes from the store. After Campbell secured the money, Campbell backed away from the store owner, and as he did so, he shot the owner once in the hip. Campbell and Stewart then fled from the store. The bullet fired by Campbell remains lodged in the store owner’s hip. Stewart has pleaded not guilty to the robbery of the B&M Market.

Subsequent to pleading guilty, Campbell waived a pre-sentence report and was sentenced by Judge McVerry to 15 years in prison. Under the terms of the plea agreement, 10 years of this sentence are to be served concurrently with Campbell’s state court sentence of 35 years to life imprisonment for second-degree murder. In November, 2013, a jury in Mercer County convicted Campbell of participating in the murder of local bar owner William Basilone. The remaining five years of Campbell’s federal sentence are to be served consecutively to Campbell’s state court murder sentence.

Assistant United States Attorney Eric S. Rosen prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Southwest Mercer County Police, and the Mercer County District Attorney’s Office conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Devine Campbell.

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Yonkers, New York, has been sentenced in federal court to 10 years in prison on his conviction of possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams of cocaine, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

United States District Judge Mark Hornak imposed the sentence yesterday on Darrell Rhett, 52 of Yonkers.

According to information presented to the court, Rhett, who was on federal supervised release for his participation in a large heroin distribution conspiracy at the time of his offense, possessed approximately 600 grams of cocaine, which was discovered in a traffic stop on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in October, 2012. This cocaine was destined for Pittsburgh. The court further learned that prior to this traffic stop, Rhett had brought large quantities of heroin to the Pittsburgh area for purposes of distribution.

Assistant United States Attorney Eric S. Rosen prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Troopers for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Rhett.

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - A resident of Elmora, Pa., has been sentenced in federal court to two years probation on his conviction of conspiracy to manufacture and possess marijuana plants, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson imposed the sentence on Gerald F. Knee, 62.

According to information presented to the court, in the spring of 2011, Knee conspired to manufacture and possess with the intent to distribute less than 100 marijuana plants. In addition, evidence presented to the Court at the time of Knee's guilty plea reflected that Knee conspired with George M. Lowmaster and others to grow marijuana plants with the intent to facilitate and promote Lowmaster's drug distribution organization.

Assistant United States Attorney John J. Valkovci, Jr., prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the joint task force, headed by the Laurel Highlands Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Knee. Other agencies participating on the task force include the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office, Cambria County District Attorney's Office, Carrolltown Police Department, Patton Police Department, Ebensburg Police Department, Portage Police Department and Paint Township Police Department.

PITTSBURGH – Jermaine Edmonds and William Johnson, both from Pittsburgh, were sentenced in federal court in Pittsburgh for violating federal drug trafficking laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Edmonds, 35, and Johnson, 37, were sentenced by United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab. They were both convicted at the conclusion of a jury trial in August 2013 of conspiring to possess with intent to distribute and attempting to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. Edmonds was sentenced to serve 130 months in prison followed by eight years supervised release. Johnson was sentenced to serve 120 months in prison followed by eight years supervised release.

Both Edmonds and Johnson were under court supervision following imprisonment imposed for prior drug trafficking convictions when they conspired and attempted to acquire over $90,000 worth of cocaine with the intent to distribute it in the Pittsburgh area. Edmonds’ prior drug trafficking sentence was reduced as a result of reductions to the federal crack cocaine sentencing guidelines. As a result of those reductions, he was released from incarceration in November 2011 – three years prior to when he was scheduled to be released from prison. He committed the additional cocaine conspiracy and attempt crimes less than 10 months after his prior sentence reduction.

Assistant United States Attorney Craig W. Haller prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States.

The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation leading to the convictions and sentences in this case.

PITTSBURGH - A former Springdale Borough police officer has been sentenced in federal court to one year and one day of imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release, on his conviction of deprivation of civil rights, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak imposed the sentence on Mark E. Thom, Jr., 32.

According to information presented to the court, on or about Dec. 17, 2011, Thom, a police officer of the Springdale Borough Police Department, punched and used a Taser on a man who was in handcuffs after Thom had arrested him for driving under the influence and driving with a suspended license.

U.S. Attorney Hickton said, “The vast majority of law enforcement officials uphold the highest standard of public trust. But when someone abuses his position, we will aggressively hold him accountable. We argued that a prison sentence was especially just, not only for the crime he committed, but also because he was discouraging other police officers from cooperating with us and providing information.”

Assistant United States Attorney Shaun E. Sweeney prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Thom.

PITTSBURGH - A federal grand jury in Pittsburgh indicted 13 individuals in four separate, but related, indictments resulting from a multi-agency wiretap investigation, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today. All of the indictments were returned on Jan. 14 and unsealed today.

The first indictment, containing five counts, charges the following defendants with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, from September 2013 to December 2013. The indictment also charges certain of the defendants with firearms offenses, as well as specific distributions and/or possessions with intent to distribute quantities of heroin.

Fredrick Mack, 43, of Munhall, Pa.; Christopher Boyd, 36, of Pittsburgh, Pa.; Jalaspian L. Charles, 45, of Pittsburgh, Pa.; Henry Freeman, 45, of Pittsburgh, Pa.; Felix Manuel Cespedes Gomez, 32, of Brooklyn, NY; Dwight Hester, 44, of Pittsburgh, Pa.; Tonya Demitria Kendrick, 44, of Rankin, Pa.; Royance Godfrey Lambert, 48, of Brooklyn, NY; Robert Schatzman, 43, of Pittsburgh, Pa.; and
Allen William Turner, 45, of East Pittsburgh, Pa.

The second indictment charges the following defendants with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of powder cocaine, and 28 grams or more of crack cocaine, from September 2013 to December 2013:

Christopher Boyd, 36, of Pittsburgh, Pa.; Dwight Hester, 44, of Pittsburgh, Pa.; Fredrick Mack, 43, of Munhall, Pa.; Allen William Turner, 45, of East Pittsburgh, Pa.; and
Harold C. Young, 39, of Pittsburgh, Pa.

The third indictment contains two counts and charges Royance Godfrey, 48, of Brooklyn, New York, and John R. Johnson, 36, of Pittsburgh, Pa. Count one charges both defendants with a conspiracy to distribute cocaine in October 2013. Count two charges only Johnson with possession with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine, on or about Oct. 6, 2013.

The final indictment contains two counts and charges Guy Amatangelo, 41, of Pittsburgh, Pa, as sole defendant. Amatangelo is charged with a conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine in September and October 2013, and he is charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of that drug-trafficking crime, on or about Oct. 5, 2013.

According to information that has been filed with the Court, beginning in September 2013, and continuing until December 2013, federal agents received authorization to intercept wire (voice calls) and electronic (text message) communications on four different cellular telephones. As a result of those wiretap intercepts, agents learned that a group of individuals was traveling to Brooklyn, New York on a regular basis to obtain quantities of heroin and cocaine for distribution in the greater Pittsburgh area. The four indictments are a result of that wiretap investigation.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence for the various charges ranging from 20 years to life in prison, and fines ranging from $1,000,000 to $8,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses, and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorneys Troy Rivetti and Jonathan Ortiz are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

This prosecution is the result of a federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Other participating agencies include the Allegheny County Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police, Allegheny County Sheriff's Office, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Munhall Police Department and Wilkinsburg Police Department.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

PITTSBURGH – An employee of the United States Postal Service has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of theft of mail by postal employee, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

The one-count indictment, returned on Jan. 14, named Sara M. Dewall, 32, of North Versailles, Pa.

According to the indictment presented to the court, Sara M. Dewall, while employed by the U.S. Postal Service, embezzled an envelope containing a $50 United States Note and a grocery store gift card.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of five years in prison, a fine of $250,000.00 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Robert S. Cessar is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The United States Postal Service/Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

PITTSBURGH - A Pittsburgh resident has pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal narcotic laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Brett Farrell, 31, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Maurice Cohill.

In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that from June 2011 to May, 2012, Farrell, acting together with others, created fraudulent oxycodone prescriptions on his home computer. Farrell then passed these fraudulent prescriptions at area pharmacies, from whom he obtained oxycodone, which is a Schedule II controlled substance. Farrell primarily obtained this oxycodone for personal use, but he also sold small quantities of oxycodone to other addicts.

Judge Cohill scheduled sentencing for April 24, 2014, at 2:00 p.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Eric S. Rosen is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Brett Farrell.

PITTSBURGH - A downtown Pittsburgh jeweler pleaded guilty in federal court on Tuesday to a charge of failing to file a report of currency received by non-financial business, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Alan Kashi, 32, of Pittsburgh, Pa., pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Gustave Diamond.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on March 13, 2012, Kashi, who was engaged in the jewelry business known as Kashi Jewelers, for the purpose of evading federal reporting requirements, failed to file an Internal Revenue Service Form 8300, Report of Cash Payments Over $10,000 Received in a Trade or Business, following the receipt of approximately $12,500 in currency as payment for a Breitling watch.

A civil forfeiture complaint filed in July 2013 alleged that the owners and/or employees of Kashi Jewelers conducted financial transactions involving the proceeds of drug trafficking. Pursuant to a stipulation, Alan Kashi and his family members ultimately agreed to forfeit $933,075 to the federal government, and the court issued its final order of forfeiture on Dec. 19, 2013.

“This important case highlights the use of asset forfeiture as a resource in our effort to stop the illegal flow of drugs in our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Hickton. “By freezing and forfeiting assets of a jewelry store used by drug dealers to launder their drug monies, we have taken another step to make our community safer and put about a million dollars in the federal treasury.”

Judge Diamond scheduled sentencing for May 14, 2014, at 10 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of five years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, the court released Kashi on an unsecured $25,000 bond.

Assistant United States Attorney Carolyn J. Bloch is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Alan Kashi.

Wholesale Value of Marijuana Exceeded $16 Million

PITTSBURGH – The leader of a cross-country drug ring pleaded guilty on Tuesday in federal court to charges of conspiracy to violate the federal drug and money laundering laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Jennifer Chau Chieu, 37, of Green Tree, Pa., pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 1,000 kilograms (2,200 pounds) or more of high-quality hydroponic marijuana, and conspiracy to launder drug proceeds before United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Chieu moved to Pennsylvania in 2010, and by October of that year was in the drug business, using her old contacts to ship her 10-20 pound packages of high-quality marijuana from California on a daily basis. Chieu then resold the marijuana for $2,400-$4,600 a pound, depending on quality, to a small network of dealers.

United States Postal Inspectors eventually identified more than 250 inbound drug packages, and in excess of 350 outbound parcels containing drug proceeds, with $12,000-$20,000 in each package. The total wholesale value of the marijuana was as much as $16 million, with the retail value being several multiples of that.

Postal inspectors and IRS and FBI special agents observed Chieu making deals out of her Green Tree home and a nail salon she owned on Liberty Avenue in the Bloomfield section of Pittsburgh.

Between January and April 2011, postal inspectors served nine search warrants on outgoing parcels suspected to contain drug proceeds. Each of the parcels contained between $12,000 and $20,000 in cash, with the total exceeding $143,000.

Wiretaps were approved for Chieu’s phones and several others between June and October 2011. Chieu and her co-conspirators spoke four languages on the wiretaps – Vietnamese, English, and two Chinese dialects - often switching languages in mid-sentence in an obvious attempt to hamper law enforcement agents and interpreters who might be listening.

More than a hundred hours of calls were intercepted between Chieu and her primary Oakland, Calif., drug supplier. On a daily basis, Chieu and her conspirator discussed how much marijuana he would be sending, the quality or “brand name” of the product, and how much Chieu would charge for it here and how many packages of cash she planned to send to California the next day.

About 3500 pounds of marijuana were distributed in the conspiracy. Large seizures of cash demonstrated the broad scope of this drug ring. In April 2012, Chieu and a conspirator were stopped in Utah for a traffic violation. Hidden within their car was more than one-half million dollars in cash. Both individuals refused to claim the cash, with Chieu telling officers she didn’t know how it got there.

Following the indictment of Chieu and 19 other individuals, Chieu was arrested in April 2012, at which time more than $70,000 was seized from her Green Tree home, and $100,000 from a safe deposit box. Another seizure in 2011 of drug proceeds from a van leaving Pittsburgh for California turned up $136,000 in cash. About a million dollars in cash was seized in this investigation, with homes and cars also seized for forfeiture to the government.

Eight of the 20 indicted individuals have now entered pleas of guilty and await sentencing, with six more defendants scheduled to plead guilty later this week.

On motion of the government, Jennifer Chieu’s bond was revoked and she was ordered detained pending sentencing on July 1, 2014. The law provides for a total sentence of not less than 10 years to life in prison, a fine of $10,500,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Gregory J. Nescott is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation were the lead agencies in this case, and were assisted by the Pennsylvania State Police in this investigation that led that led to the prosecution of Jennifer Chau Chieu.

PITTSBURGH – A Beaver County woman pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal witness intimidation laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Natalie Moskorisin, 23, of Ambridge, Pa., pleaded guilty to one count of witness intimidation before United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab.

In connection with the guilty plea, the Court learned that Moskorisin sent a threatening Facebook message to potential witnesses in the federal narcotics case involving her boyfriend at the time, David Best. This message warned these potential witnesses not to cooperate with the Government in its investigation of David Best.

Judge Schwab scheduled sentencing for April 29, 2014, at 9:30 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of not more than $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Eric S. Rosen is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Natalie Moskorisin.

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Ambridge, Pa., pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal narcotics and burglary laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Katie Adams, 28, pleaded guilty to three counts before United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab.

In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that Adams conspired with others to possess with the intent to distribute and distribute oxycodone, a Schedule II controlled substance. In that regard, the Court learned that Adams passed a number of fraudulent oxycodone prescriptions at pharmacies in the Western District of Pennsylvania. Adams then provided the obtained oxycodone to charged co-defendant David Best, who later resold this oxycodone. In addition, law enforcement from the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office conducted a controlled buy of oxycodone from Adams in July, 2013.

Further, the Court was advised that Adams conspired with others to burglarize the Med-Fast pharmacy in Baden, Pa., on Sept. 26-27, 2012, and from that pharmacy, stole controlled substances, including oxycodone and oxymorphone. In that regard, the Court learned that Adams conspired together with separately charged defendants David Best and Carlos Martinez to burglarize the pharmacy. On the evening of Sept. 26, 2012, Adams drove Best and Martinez to the pharmacy. Best first broke into the Chinese restaurant next door to the pharmacy, and from there, bore through the wall of the restaurant and into the pharmacy. Once inside the pharmacy, Best stole the controlled substances. While Best was inside the pharmacy, Martinez served as a “lookout” outside the pharmacy. Best then left the pharmacy, and Katie Adams, the “getaway” driver, drove Martinez and Best away from the pharmacy. The three persons later split the obtained narcotics amongst themselves. Carlos Martinez has previously pled guilty to burglarizing the pharmacy. David Best has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.

Judge Schwab scheduled sentencing for April 30, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence on each count of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of not more than $1,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Eric S. Rosen is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Katie Adams.

PITTSBURGH - An alien found in Cranberry Township, Pa., has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of illegal re-entry after deportation, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

The one-count indictment named Raul Cartagena, 32, of El Salvador, as the sole defendant. According to the indictment presented to the court, Raul Cartagena, an alien, was formally removed from the United States by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement on July 15, 2011. Raul Cartagena was found to be illegally present in Pittsburgh, Pa., on Dec. 18, 2013.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of two 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 offense 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 U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

PITTSBURGH – The owner of Carnegie-based Victory Security Agency was sentenced today in federal court to three years’ probation and a $30,000 fine payable within 30 days on his conviction of conspiracy, bribery of agent of an organization receiving federal funds and mail fraud, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

U.S. District Judge Cathy Bissoon imposed the sentence on Arthur J. Bedway, Jr., 64, of Pittsburgh, Pa.

According to the evidence presented to the court at the time Bedway entered a guilty plea on Aug. 6, 2013, Bedway owned Victory Security. In order to obtain a contract with the City of Pittsburgh to install radios and mobile data terminals (MDTs) in City Police vehicles, Bedway created Alpha Outfitters, which he falsely represented to the City as a Women's Business Enterprise. He conspired with a city employee, Christine Ann Kebr and others, to obtain the MDT contract for Alpha Outfitters. Bedway paid Kebr for her assistance in obtaining the MDT contract. Kebr pleaded guilty to a charge on conspiracy on Dec. 6, 2012, and is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 11, 2014.

Assistant United States Attorneys Robert S. Cessar and Lee J. Karl are prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation for conducting the investigation that led to the prosecution of Bedway.

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - A resident of Johnstown, Pa., has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Johnstown on charges of violating federal extortion and bribery laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

The six-count indictment named Ronald W. Repak, 62.

According to the indictment presented to the court, Repak, while serving as Executive Director of the Johnstown Redevelopment Authority (JRA), engaged in conduct in violation of the Hobbs Act for extortion under color of official right, and engaged in multiple acts of federal program bribery. Specifically, in exchange for Repak’s official actions and influence as the Executive Director of the JRA to facilitate the award of JRA contracting work, Repak solicited and obtained from local contracting firms a new roof for his personal residence, building demolition and grading services at Evolution Gym, his son’s privately-owned business, and multiple Pittsburgh Steelers football game tickets.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 90 years in prison, a fine of $1,500,000, 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 Stephanie L. Haines is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Laurel Highlands Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Repak.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

PITTSBURGH - U.S. Attorney David J. Hickton announced today that the Western District of Pennsylvania collected $24,480,775.61 in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year 2013. Additionally, the Western District of Pennsylvania worked with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice to collect an additional $5,702,777.80 in cases pursued jointly with these offices.

Attorney General Eric Holder announced on Thursday that the Justice Department collected approximately $8.1 billion in civil and criminal actions in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2013. The more than $8 billion in collections in FY 2013 represents nearly three times the appropriated $2.76 billion budget for the 94 U.S. Attorney’s offices and the main litigating divisions in that same period.

“The department’s enforcement actions help to not only ensure justice is served, but also deliver a valuable return to the American people,” said Attorney General Holder. “It is critical that Congress provide the resources necessary to match the department’s mounting caseload. As these figures show, supporting our federal prosecutors is a sound investment.”

“Recovering monies due the American taxpayer is a priority and we have made substantial progress improving our performance over the last three years,” said U.S. Attorney Hickton. “The $24.4 million collected in FY 2013 represents a 86.2 percent increase over last year’s collections of $13.1 million. Collections related to civil actions rose 58 percent, to $22.9 million from $9.6 million in FY 2012. Overall, in FY 2013, we collected more than twice the amount of money the federal government allocates us to operate our office.”

The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the department’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss. While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the department’s Crime Victims’ Fund, which distributes the funds to state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.

The largest civil collections were from affirmative civil enforcement cases, in which the United States recovered government money lost to fraud or other misconduct or collected fines imposed on individuals and/or corporations for violations of federal health, safety, civil rights or environmental laws. In addition, civil debts were collected on behalf of several federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, Internal Revenue Service, Small Business Administration and Department of Education.

PITTSBURGH – A Beaver County resident pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal burglary laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Carlos Martinez, 27, of Ambridge, Pa., pleaded guilty to one count of burglarizing a pharmacy before United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab.

In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that Martinez conspired with others to burglarize the Med-Fast pharmacy in Baden, Pa., on September 26-27, 2012, and from that pharmacy, stole controlled substances, including oxycodone and oxymorphone. In that regard, the Court learned that Martinez conspired together with separately charged defendants David Best and Katie Adams to burglarize the pharmacy. On the evening of Sept. 26, 2012, Adams allegedly drove Best and Martinez to the pharmacy. Best first broke into the Chinese restaurant next door to the pharmacy, and from there, bore through the wall of the restaurant and into the pharmacy. Once inside the pharmacy, Best allegedly stole the controlled substances. While Best was inside the pharmacy, Martinez served as a "lookout" outside the pharmacy. Best then left the pharmacy, and Katie Adams, the "getaway" driver, drove Martinez and Best away from the pharmacy. The three persons later split the obtained narcotics amongst themselves. Katie Adams and David Best have pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.

Judge Schwab scheduled sentencing for April 30, 2014, at 9:30 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of not more than $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Eric S. Rosen is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Carlos Martinez.

PITTSBURGH – Two residents of New Castle, Pa., have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal narcotic laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

The six-count indictment, returned on Jan. 8, named David Jonathan Stouffer, 36, and Robert Yakubik, 41. The case is assigned to Judge Mark Hornak.

According to the indictment, from in and around 2011, to in and around November 2012, in the Western District of Pennsylvania and elsewhere, Stouffer and Yakubik conspired with others to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute oxycodone, a Schedule II controlled substance. Additionally, the indictment charges that Yakubik possessed with intent to distribute and did distribute a quantity of oxycodone on or about the following dates in 2012: April 16 and 25, May 31, Aug. 30, and Sept. 5.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 20 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Eric S. Rosen is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and the New Castle Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.