Western District of Pennsylvania

PITTSBURGH, PA – A former resident of Rosharon, Texas, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of violating the federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

The one-count Indictment named Daniel Saucedo, 33, formerly of Rosharon, Texas, as the sole defendant.

According to the Indictment presented to the court, on or about July 28, 2023, Saucedo attempted to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 5 and up to 40 years in prison, a fine not to exceed $5,000,000, 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.

Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin C. Dobkin is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The United States Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.

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

PITTSBURGH, PA – A resident of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, was sentenced in federal court for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, U.S. Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

On January 8, 2024, United States District Judge Stephanie L. Haines sentenced Ronnell Taylor, Jr., 41, to 33 months of imprisonment, followed by two years of supervised release. Taylor was also ordered to pay restitution to 27 victims of the fraud scheme in the total amount of $193,111.

According to information provided to the court, Taylor admitted that, from March 2016 to August 2017, he participated in an IRS impersonation fraud conspiracy involving call centers located in India. As part of this fraud scheme, victims in the United States received recorded messages fraudulently claiming that the call was from the IRS concerning the victims’ failure to pay taxes and directing victims to call a U.S.-based telephone number to resolve the matter. Calls to these U.S.-based telephone numbers would be automatically forwarded to call centers in India, and those who answered told victims that they owed money to the IRS and demanded immediate payment via gift card or other means. To assist in this fraud scheme, Taylor activated and programmed cell phones to automatically forward calls to the foreign call centers. Taylor also hired associates, including his co-defendant Michael Galanis, to program hundreds of cell phones for this purpose. After Taylor learned that co-conspirators in India had been charged with conduct related to the fraud scheme, Taylor destroyed evidence related to the scheme, including prepaid credit cards, cell phones, and other documents.

Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Haines stated that the fraud conspiracy impacted numerous victims and lasted for almost 18 months. Judge Haines further noted that victims of the scheme were threatened and some suffered “financial destruction” as a result of the defendant’s offense.

Assistant United States Attorney Karen Gal-Or prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

United States Attorney Olshan commended the United States Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, the United States Department of Homeland Security, and the United States Postal Inspection Service for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Taylor.

Anyone with information about allegations of elder fraud can report it by calling the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 or 833–372–8311. More information about the Department’s efforts to help American seniors is available at its Elder Justice Initiative at https://www.justice.gov/elderjustice. For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts, visit its website at https://www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. Elder fraud complaints may be filed with the FTC at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/assistant?orgcode=USDOJEFH or at 877-FTC-HELP.

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Thirty-five individuals have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Johnstown on narcotics, conspiracy, and money laundering charges, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. The four-count Second Superseding Indictment was returned on December 13, 2023, and unsealed today.

The Second Superseding Indictment charges a total of 35 defendants. Thirty-three defendants allegedly participated in a domestic and international narcotics conspiracy between August 2021 and June 2023, involving substantial quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine. Two defendants are charged with being principal administrators of a continuing criminal enterprise, an alleged violation of the federal “Kingpin” statute. Eight of the defendants are further charged with a money laundering conspiracy. A list of the defendants, charges, and maximum penalties is included at the bottom of this release.

According to the Second Superseding Indictment, two of the defendants, Marcos Monarrez-Mendoza and Marcos Monarrez, Jr., allegedly served as the leaders of the Phoenix-based Monarrez Drug Trafficking Organization (the “Monarrez DTO”), which imported from Mexico millions of fentanyl pills, kilograms of fentanyl powder, hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine, and dozens of kilograms of cocaine that were distributed and sold throughout the United States. The narcotics allegedly were smuggled into the United States inside bulk shipping containers and hidden within commercial consumer products, among other methods. At various times, other defendants, including Jaime Ledesma, Henry Rivera Ortega, and Jesus Miguel Vibanco-Garcia, allegedly served as the suppliers of substantial quantities of narcotics for the Monarrez DTO. Redistributers then sold these drugs throughout the United States, including in Phoenix, Arizona; Seattle, Washington; Wichita, Kansas; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Cleveland, Ohio; Fort Wayne, Indiana; and Western Pennsylvania, among other destinations.

As alleged in the Superseding Indictment, Monarrez-Mendoza and Monarrez, Jr. issued payment through various forms and by various means to the organization’s drug suppliers for the drug shipments. For example, Monarrez-Mendoza and Monarrez, Jr. allegedly issued payments to Humberto Arredondo-Soto, a narcotics supplier based in Mexico, in the form of hundreds of thousands of dollars in bulk U.S. currency; military-grade firearms, including .50 caliber, AK-47, and short-stock AK-47 (Draco) rifles; Glock handguns; FN SCAR assault rifles; and vehicles, which were smuggled from the United States into Mexico by way of couriers.

While orchestrating this transnational drug trafficking organization, Monarrez, Jr. allegedly offered to pay and did pay defendant Carlos Zamora to perpetrate violence, including a drive-by shooting, on behalf of the Monarrez DTO. Throughout the duration of the conspiracy, members of the Monarrez DTO are alleged to have regularly possessed and carried firearms to protect the DTO’s drugs and drug proceeds.

Additionally, while detained at the Cambria County Prison in the Western District of Pennsylvania, members of the conspiracy, including Monarrez, Jr., allegedly used contraband cell phones to communicate with other co-conspirators outside of the jail facility in an effort to direct the continued operations of the Monarrez DTO. Specifically, during this time, Monarrez, Jr. allegedly coordinated the distribution of approximately 500,000 fentanyl pills and kilogram-quantities of fentanyl powder throughout the United States. As alleged, Monarrez-Mendoza and Monarrez, Jr. were the principal administrators, organizers, and leaders of the alleged Monarrez DTO, which involved a total of 120 kilograms or more of fentanyl and 150 kilograms or more of methamphetamine.

“Marcos Monarrez-Mendoza and his son Marcos Monarrez, Jr., along with their many co-conspirators, allegedly operated a violent drug trafficking operation that smuggled massive quantities of deadly drugs from Mexico, including millions of fentanyl pills, into the United States for distribution on the streets of our communities in the Western District of Pennsylvania, as well as many other communities throughout the country,” said U.S. Attorney Olshan. “The latest charges in this case are a direct result of the dedication and ceaseless resolve of the prosecutors in our office, who, alongside our many dedicated federal, state, and local investigative partners, will continue to do everything in our collective power to shut down deadly narcotics traffickers—even when, as alleged, they seek to ply their criminal trade from inside the walls of a jail.”

“The trafficking of fentanyl to our region from other states is a huge problem,” said FBI Pittsburgh Acting Special Agent in Charge Mike Shanahan. “FBI Pittsburgh’s Southwest Safe Streets Task Force and our partners are working very hard to take dangerous drugs off of our streets, along with the people who peddle them. This is another great example of law enforcement working together to combat the drug crisis and make our communities safer by targeting those trying to do harm.”

“These indictments demonstrate HSI’s commitment to cooperation and information sharing with our partner law enforcement agencies. Every time we dismantle one of these criminal enterprises, we help protect the American public from the devastation brought by addiction and the crime and violence that goes along with it,” said Special Agent in Charge of HSI Philadelphia William S. Walker. “These charges carry with them the possibility of life sentences. Given the unparalleled devastation that fentanyl has caused, these superseding indictments send the message to those who deal death that they will be caught and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

A total of eight defendants are also charged with engaging in a money laundering conspiracy from April 2022 to March 2023 related to the operations of the Monarrez DTO. According to the Second Superseding Indictment, Monarrez-Mendoza and Monarrez, Jr. enlisted the assistance of associates located both in the United States and in Mexico, as well as the family members of their associates, to transport cash proceeds of the Monarrez DTO and engage in various financial transactions designed to legitimize their profits; disguise the nature, location, source, ownership, and control of the proceeds; and promote the Monarrez DTO. This conduct allegedly involved the transportation and delivery of bulk cash proceeds from drug sales to couriers for transportation from the United States to Mexico; the use of digital money transfer services; casino gaming; and the purchase of jewelry, watches, designer clothing, high-end vehicles, and real property, which were often purchased by and titled in the names of third parties to conceal the identities of their true owners.

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 Attorney Arnold P. Bernard, Jr. is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

This prosecution is the result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles high-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten communities throughout the United States 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.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Laurel Highlands Resident Agency, Homeland Security Investigations, and the FBI’s Southwest Pennsylvania Safe Streets Task Force conducted the investigation leading to the Superseding Indictment in this case. Additional agencies participating in this investigation include the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation; the United States Postal Inspection Service; Cambria County, Indiana County, and Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Offices and detective bureaus; the Cambria County Sheriff’s Office; Indiana Borough Police; New Kensington Police; Upper Yoder Township Police; Cambria Township Police; the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General; Pennsylvania State Police; and numerous other local law enforcement agencies.

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

List of Defendants

Name

Age

Place of Residence

Charges

Maximum Penalty

Marcos Monarrez-Mendoza

53

Phoenix, AZ

Conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine, 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, and 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine

Life imprisonment

Engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise

Life imprisonment

Money laundering conspiracy

20 years’ imprisonment

Samuel Aguirre

21

Phoenix, AZ

Conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine, 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, and 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine

Life imprisonment

Money laundering conspiracy

20 years’ imprisonment

Marco Armenta

22

Phoenix, AZ

Conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl

Life imprisonment

Mark Camacho

24

Phoenix, AZ

Conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine, 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, and 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine

Life imprisonment

Robert Foster

25

Buckeye, AZ

Conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl

Life imprisonment

Donald Garwood

40

Glendale, AZ

Conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine, 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, and 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine

Life imprisonment

Erivan Guerrero

22

Phoenix, AZ

Conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine, 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, and 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine

Life imprisonment

Money laundering conspiracy

20 years’ imprisonment

Bryce Hill

25

Kennewick, WA

Conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine, 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, and 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine

Life imprisonment

Emmanuel Lopez

27

Glendale, AZ

Conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine, 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, and 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine

Life imprisonment

Cesar Monarrez

25

Maricopa, AZ

Conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine, 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, and 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine

Life imprisonment

Marcos Monarrez, Jr.

23

Phoenix, AZ

Conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine, 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, and 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine

Life imprisonment

Engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise

Life imprisonment

Money laundering conspiracy

20 years’ imprisonment

Jairo Morales

21

Phoenix, AZ

Conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine, 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, and 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine

Life imprisonment

Money laundering conspiracy

20 years’ imprisonment

Stephanie Ortiz

24

Avondale, AZ

Conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine, 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, and 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine

Life imprisonment

Valerie Sanchez

35

Phoenix, AZ

Conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine, 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, and 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine

Life imprisonment

Heaven West

21

Phoenix, AZ

Conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl

Life imprisonment

Carlos Zamora

27

Peoria, AZ

Conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine, 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, and 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine

Life imprisonment

Humberto Arredondo-Soto

23

Culiacan, Mexico

Conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine, 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, and 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine

Life imprisonment

Colby Barrow

29

Peoria, AZ

Conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl

Life imprisonment

Luis Chavez-Ortega

26

Glendale, AZ

Money laundering conspiracy

20 years’ imprisonment

Donnell Collins

27

Cleveland, OH

Conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl and 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine

Life imprisonment

Possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine

40 years’ imprisonment

Mohamed Kariye

34

Kent, WA

Conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl

Life imprisonment

Jesus Lopez

21

Phoenix, AZ

Conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine, 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, and 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine

Life imprisonment

Diego Monarrez

21

Phoenix, AZ

Conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl and 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine

Life imprisonment

Alicia Parks

24

Kent, WA

Conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine, 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, and 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine

Life imprisonment

James Pinkston

32

New Kensington, PA

Conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl and 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine

Life imprisonment

Money laundering conspiracy

20 years’ imprisonment

Possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine

40 years’ imprisonment

Jesus Ramirez

25

Phoenix, AZ

Conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine, 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, and 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine

Life imprisonment

Sahal Sahal

36

SeaTac, WA

Conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl

Life imprisonment

Diamond Williams-Dorsey

29

Cleveland, OH

Conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl

Life imprisonment

Luis Carlos Fentanes

22

Phoenix, AZ

Conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl and 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine

Life imprisonment

Jesus Aaron Garcia

24

Phoenix, AZ

Conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine, 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, and 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine

Life imprisonment

Jaime Ledesma

26

Phoenix, AZ

Conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine, 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, and 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine

Life imprisonment

Henry Rivera Ortega

20

Phoenix, AZ

Conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine, 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, and 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine

Life imprisonment

Adrian Lopez Rivera

22

Phoenix, AZ

Conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine, 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, and 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine

Life imprisonment

Michele Soto

20

Phoenix, AZ

Money laundering conspiracy

20 years’ imprisonment

Jesus Miguel Vibanco-Garcia

28

Mexico

Conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine, 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, and 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine

Life imprisonment

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to eight years in prison on his conviction of narcotics trafficking, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Senior United States District Judge Joy Flowers Conti imposed the sentence on Howard Palmer, age 35, of Wilkinsburg, PA.

According to information presented to the court, on February 9, 2023, federal search warrants were executed on two apartments on Princeton Boulevard in Wilkinsburg, PA. During the execution of those warrants, two kilograms of cocaine, two firearms, quantities of fentanyl and other drugs, drug packaging material, and other items were recovered from the two apartments. Palmer admitted that the firearms and narcotics belonged to him.

Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Conti indicated that the sentence was appropriate taking into consideration the large quantity of drugs possessed by the defendant as well as the presence of firearms and ammunition.

Assistant United States Attorney Douglas C. Maloney prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

United States Attorney Olshan commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Palmer.

ERIE, Pa. - A resident of Erie, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 72 months in prison on his conviction of violating federal drug laws, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

United States District Judge Susan Paradise Baxter imposed the sentence on Marcus Dwayne Thompson, 37, of Erie, Pennsylvania.

According to information presented to the court, on or about December 11, 2019, Thompson distributed more than fifty grams of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.

Assistant United States Attorney Paul S. Sellers prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

United States Attorney Olshan commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Thompson.

PITTSBURGH, PA – Alphonse Johnson was sentenced to 108 months in prison for trafficking fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Johnson, age 41, formerly of Sharon, Pennsylvania, was sentenced by United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon. Johnson previously pled guilty to (1) conspiring to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, 100 grams or more of heroin, and quantities of cocaine, cocaine base, and methamphetamine, between June 2020 and June 2021; and (2) possessing with intent to distribute quantities of cocaine, cocaine base, and methamphetamine on April 20, 2021. Judge Bissoon also ordered Johnson to serve four years of supervised release following his prison sentence.

Assistant United States Attorneys Benjamin C. Dobkin and Craig W. Haller prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Lawrence County Drug Task Force, the Mercer County Drug Task Force, the New Castle Police Department, the Sharon Police Department, the Hermitage Police Department, and the Farrell Police Department led the investigation resulting in the convictions and sentence in this case.

This prosecution is a result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles high-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten communities throughout the United States. OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

PITTSBURGH, PA — A resident of Pittsburgh, PA, has been sentenced in federal court to seven (7) years of imprisonment, followed by five (5) years of supervised release, on his conviction for violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Senior United States District Judge Joy Flowers Conti imposed the sentence on Devontay Montaze Green, age 29.

According to information presented to the court, on the morning of Oct. 31, 2018, K.K. was found dead in the basement of an Alison Park, PA, residence. Paramedics and the McCandless Police Department responded to the residence. Paramedics were unable to resuscitate K.K., and he was pronounced dead at the scene. The McCandless Police Department recovered drug use paraphernalia and ripped, empty stamp bags marked “Hurricane Harvey” in red ink and “Burger King” in blue ink near his body. Law enforcement also recovered K.K.’s cellular phone and provided all evidence to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Opioid Task Force. The investigation confirmed that Green distributed the controlled substances that caused K.K.’s death.

Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Conti stressed that fentanyl has had a devastating impact on the community and expressed her condolences to K.K.’s family.

Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

United States Attorney Olshan commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Opioid Task Force and the McCandless Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Green.

PITTSBURGH, PA – A resident of Houston, Texas, pleaded guilty in federal court to violating federal money laundering laws, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Oluseyi Jeremiah Olagoke Adebayo, 48, of Houston, Texas, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering from June 2022 through October 2022 before United States District Judge Robert J. Colville.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that a company located in the Western District of Pennsylvania was the victim of a business email compromise that resulted in the fraudulent transfer of over $420,000 into a bank account that Adebayo opened with a false name and a fraudulent Solomon Islands passport. To obfuscate the source of the fraudulent funds, Adebayo incorporated shell companies with false names and opened bank accounts for those shell companies also with false names. He then transferred portions of the fraudulent funds obtained from the victim company into those bank accounts from which he conducted additional transfers and issued bank checks.

Judge Colville scheduled sentencing for May 7, 2024. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 20 years, a fine not to exceed $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. Adebayo remains detained pending sentencing.

Assistant United States Attorney Mark V. Gurzo is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation leading to the prosecution of Adebayo.

ERIE, Pa. - A former resident of Erie, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to seven (7) years in prison on his conviction of violating federal firearm and drug laws, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

United States District Judge Susan Paradise Baxter imposed the sentence on Aaron Jovan Raiford, 42.

According to information presented to the court, on or about March 25, 2022, Raiford possessed with intent to distribute cocaine, and he possessed three firearms and ammunition while being a convicted felon. In addition, on August 2, 2022, Raiford again possessed cocaine with the intent to distribute it. Federal law prohibits an individual who has been convicted of a felony from possessing a firearm or ammunition.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Assistant United States Attorney Molly W. Anglin prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

United States Attorney Olshan commended the Pennsylvania State Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Raiford.

PITTSBURGH, PA – A resident of Butler, PA, has been sentenced in federal court to a total term of 66 months (5 ½ years) in prison, followed by three (3) years of supervised release, in connection with his possession of a stolen, loaded firearm and for committing that offense while serving a period of supervised release on his prior federal drug-trafficking conviction, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Senior United States District Judge Joy Flowers Conti imposed the sentence on Charles Perkins, age 29.

According to information presented to the court, on February 1, 2023, the Butler County Anti-Drug Task Force obtained a search warrant for Perkins and an apartment associated with him. Upon approaching Perkins outside the residence, he ran from law enforcement and threw a loaded handgun. Perkins fell and was arrested. An examination of the handgun revealed that it had been reported stolen. Judge Conti previously sentenced Perkins to 15 months’ imprisonment and three years of supervised release for his last federal offense, possession with intent to distribute quantities of fentanyl and crack. He was serving his supervised release at the time he committed the firearm offense.

Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Conti revoked Perkins’ federal supervised release and sentenced him to six (6) months in prison for his prior drug offense, to be served consecutively to the five-year term of imprisonment for the new firearm offense.

Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

United States Attorney Olshan commended the Butler County Anti-Drug Task Force for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Perkins.

PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Brownsville, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 51 months’ imprisonment, 10 years of supervised release, and has been ordered to pay $28,000.00 in restitution on his conviction of possessing material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon imposed the sentence on Karl D. Lutes (52) of Brownsville, PA.

According to information presented to the court at the time of Lutes’s guilty plea, Lutes had been sharing images over the Internet which depicted the sexual exploitation of minors. He was identified through an investigation undertaken by agents of Homeland Security Investigations. On February 11, 2020, agents executed a search warrant at Lutes’s residence and found him in possession of hundreds of videos and still images in computer graphics files depicting the sexual exploitation of minors, some of whom had not yet attained the age of 12 years.

Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Bissoon stated that a sentence that included 51 months in prison served to protect the public, to provide for just punishment, and to afford Lutes with needed rehabilitation. Judge Bisson further highlighted that the submitted Victim Impact Statements provided a view of the real harm to children stemming from crimes involving their sexual exploitation.

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

United States Attorney Olshan commended the Homeland Security Investigations for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Lutes.

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.

PITTSBURGH, PA – A resident of Reynoldsville, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 60 months of imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release on her convictions for violating federal narcotics and firearms laws related to a nine-month Title III wiretap investigation into drug trafficking in and around the counties of Jefferson, Clearfield, and Allegheny, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

United States District Judge Christy Criswell Wiegand imposed the sentence on Kristy Lepionka, age 40.

According to information presented to the court, Lepionka received parcels that were shipped from California to the Western District of Pennsylvania containing a total of between 5 kilograms and 15 kilograms of methamphetamine. Investigators searched Lepionka’s residence on August 31, 2021, pursuant to a federal search warrant and seized over a small amount of methamphetamine and a firearm, which Lepionka is prohibited from possessing due to a prior felony conviction.

Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan D. Lusty prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

United States Attorney Olshan commended the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, United States Postal Service – Office of Inspector General, United States Postal Inspection Service, Internal Revenue Services, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Allegheny County Police, and Pennsylvania State Police. Also assisting were the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office, Clearfield County District Attorney’s Office, and the Clarion Borough Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Lepionka.

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, PA – A resident of Blandburg, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 25 months of imprisonment followed by two years of supervised release on her conviction for violating federal narcotics laws related to a nine-month Title III wiretap investigation into drug trafficking in and around the counties of Jefferson, Clearfield, and Allegheny, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

United States District Judge Christy Criswell Wiegand imposed the sentence on Danielle Gillam, age 44.

According to information presented to the court, Gillam was a narcotics distributor who obtained between 500 grams and 1.5 kilograms of methamphetamine from Derek Hillebrand, the leader of the drug trafficking organization, which Gillam then redistributed.

Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan D. Lusty prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

United States Attorney Olshan commended the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, United States Postal Service – Office of Inspector General, United States Postal Inspection Service, Internal Revenue Services, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Allegheny County Police, and Pennsylvania State Police. Also assisting were the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office, Clearfield County District Attorney’s Office, and the Clarion Borough Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Gillam.

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.

JOHNSTOWN, PA - Ten residents of Western Pennsylvania and three residents of New York, have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of narcotics trafficking, firearms violations, and money laundering, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

The sixteen-count Indictment named the following thirteen individuals as defendants:

• Juan Duran, 34, of Brooklyn, NY
• Jason Lynn, 37, of Altoona, PA
• Miguel Arce, 39, of Brooklyn, NY
• Scott Daughenbaugh, 41, of Tyrone, PA
• Kurtis Dively, 38, of Claysburg, PA
• Douglas Hillegass, 61, of Duncansville, PA
• Daniel Paz, 32, of Queens, NY
• Joshua Pote, 41, of Roaring Spring, PA
• Tonya Settlemyer, 38, of Altoona, PA
• Andrew Stowell, 65, of Altoona, PA
• Brian Weakland, 65, of Coalport, PA
• Lesley Wilt, 37, of Glen Richey, PA
• Danielle Nepa, 48, of Gallitzin, PA

According to the indictment, the named conspirators include leaders, members, drug suppliers, and associates of a drug trafficking organization responsible for distributing narcotics throughout Western Pennsylvania. According to the Indictment, the defendants conspired to possess with intent to distribute and distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine, 500 grams of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, and quantities of cocaine and heroin beginning in September 2022 and continuing through September 2023. The Indictment. alleges individual drug trafficking violations against Stowell, Pote, Lynn, and Nepa as well as a firearms violation against Lynn. Finally, the Indictment further alleges that Duran laundered the monetary proceeds of the illegal drug trafficking activity.

For all defendants except Nepa, the law provides for a minimum sentence of 10 years imprisonment and up to life, a fine of not more than $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 each defendant.

For Nepa, the law provides for a term of imprisonment of not more than 20 years, a fine of not more than $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.

Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan D. Lusty is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Drug Enforcement Administration led the multi-agency investigation of this case, which also included the United States Postal Service – Office of Inspector General, United States Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Internal Revenue Services, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, and Pennsylvania State Police.

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.

ERIE, Pa. - A resident of Stoneboro, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of theft of government property, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Martin Meade Kobsik, age 42, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Susan Paradise Baxter.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that in April 2020, Kobsik obtained a $150,000 COVID-19 Disaster Assistance Loan from the Small Business Administration, falsely representing that he needed the money to maintain his business. Kobsik then used the proceeds from the loan for personal expenses, a vacation, and improvements to his home.

Judge Baxter scheduled sentencing for April 12, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. 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 upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, the court continued Kobsik on bond.

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

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

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was sentenced in federal court on December 20, 2023, on a charge of Possession of Material Depicting the Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced.

Troy D. Arnold, age 57, was sentenced to five years of imprisonment followed by 10 years of supervised released by United States District Judge Robert J. Colville.

The court was advised that on or about August 15, 2022, Arnold possessed more than 2,700 images and videos depicting the sexual exploitation of children. These images and videos included the sexual exploitation of prepubescent minors and minors who had not attained 12 years of age as well as material that portrayed sadistic or masochistic conduct or other depictions of violence, and the sexual abuse or exploitation of infants or toddlers.

Assistant United States Attorney Carl J. Spindler prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States.

United States Attorney Olshan commended the Pittsburgh Office of Homeland Security Investigations for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Arnold.

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.

PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Las Vegas, Nevada, has been sentenced in federal court to 12 months’ probation with 6 months’ home confinement on his conviction of conspiracy to commit access device fraud, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon imposed the sentence on Hector Ofelio Podio Gutierrez, 31, of Las Vegas, Nevada.

According to information presented to the court, Podio Gutierrez used counterfeit credit cards encoded with stolen bank account information to purchase MasterCard gift cards at Sam’s Club stores in the Pittsburgh area, as well as in Florida and California. During the month of December 2017, Podio Gutierrez and his codefendant, Yoandy Pou Torres, using an encoding device, created counterfeit credit cards, and then used the cards to make fraudulent gift card purchases totaling more than $382,000 at various Sam’s Club locations, approximately $170,000 of which were purchases conducted at Pittsburgh area stores.

Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Bissoon stated that Podio Gutierrez, since his arrest and while on bond pending trial, had been living a productive and law abiding life, and had provided noteworthy support to his family and his community.

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

United States Attorney Olshan commended the United States Postal Inspection Service and the United States Secret Service for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Gutierrez.

ERIE, Pa. - A resident of Jamestown, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal laws relating to the sexual exploitation of children, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Hank Thomas Fisher, 22, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Susan Paradise Baxter.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that from March 2020 to August 2021, Fisher distributed images and videos depicting prepubescent minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Fisher also possessed thousands of images and videos of child sexual abuse material.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

Judge Baxter scheduled sentencing for April 24, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

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

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

JOHNSTOWN, PA - A resident of Hastings, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of narcotics trafficking, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

The three-count Indictment named Penny Woodley, age 55.

According to the Indictment, the defendant possessed with the intent to distribute and distributed over 50 grams of methamphetamine on three separate dates.

The law provides for a minimum sentence of 10 years imprisonment and up to life, a fine of not more than $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 Jonathan D. Lusty is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Drug Enforcement Administration led the multi-agency investigation of this case, which also included the Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, Internal Revenue Services, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, and Homeland Security Investigations.

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.

PITTSBURGH, PA – Katlyn McGirr was sentenced to 60 months in prison for conspiring to distribute at least 28 grams of crack cocaine as well as additional quantities of fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, and powder cocaine, from June 2020 to June 2021, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

McGirr, age 31 of Sharon, Pennsylvania, was sentenced by United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon.  Judge Bissoon ordered McGirr to serve four years of supervised release following her prison sentence. 

According to information presented to the court, McGirr admitted responsibility for the distribution of 150 grams of powder cocaine, 30 grams of crack cocaine, 20 grams of fentanyl, 20 grams of heroin, and 10 grams of methamphetamine.

Assistant United States Attorneys Benjamin C. Dobkin and Craig W. Haller prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States.

United States Attorney Olshan commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Lawrence County Drug Task Force, the Mercer County Drug Task Force, the New Castle Police Department, the Sharon Police Department, the Hermitage Police Department, and the Farrell Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of McGirr.

This prosecution is a result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles high-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten communities throughout the United States.  OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. 

ERIE, Pa. - A resident of Parker, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 11 years in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, on his conviction of violating federal laws relating to the sexual exploitation of children and violating the prior conditions of his federal supervised release that he had been serving for a previous conviction for receiving child sexual abuse material, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. 

United States District Judge Susan Paradise Baxter imposed the sentence on Thomas Robert Hawk, 42.

According to information presented to the court, from August 2021 to May 2022, Hawk possessed and accessed with intent to view visual images and videos in individual digital files depicting prepubescent minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. 

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

United States Attorney Olshan commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and United States Probation for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Hawk.

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.

PITTSBURGH, PA – A resident of New Castle, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to federal drug trafficking and firearms charges, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Maurice Collier, age 33, pleaded guilty before Senior United States District Judge David Stewart Cercone.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised on September 17, 2020, Collier distributed cocaine base.  In addition, on November 4, 2020, Collier possessed with the intent to distribute quantities of fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, and cocaine base, and he possessed a firearm in furtherance of that drug trafficking crime.

Judge Cercone scheduled sentencing to occur on April 30, 2024, at 1:00 p.m.

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

The Lawrence County Drug Task Force, the New Castle Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives conducted the investigation leading to the convictions in this case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

PITTSBURGH, PA - A former resident of Uniontown, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 300 months’ imprisonment (25 years) on his conviction for twelve counts of child sexual exploitation, including the production and attempted production of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, and possession of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

United States District Judge W. Scott Hardy imposed the sentence on David Straitiff and ordered that following his release from incarceration, Straitiff be placed on supervised release for life. 

According to information presented to the court, Straitiff sexually assaulted four minors under his care, including the minor identified in the Indictment as Minor A, for a period of ten years.  The assaults began when the minors were as young as three years old.  Among other acts, Straitiff recorded his sexual abuse of the minors and forced them to watch videos of the assaults to convince them to submit to additional abuse.  Law enforcement recovered a thumb drive following a search of Straitiff’s residence containing child sexual abuse material produced on various dates between 2010 and 2012.

In sentencing the defendant, Judge Hardy described Straitiff’s crimes as “extremely disturbing,” and stated that the conduct indicates “true depravity” and “a disturbing betrayal of trust.”  Judge Hardy also acknowledged the “profound trauma” Straitiff caused the victims of his crimes.

Assistant United States Attorney Karen Gal-Or prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

United States Attorney Olshan commended Homeland Security Investigations – Pittsburgh and the Pennsylvania State Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Straitiff.  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 Lake City, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal laws relating to the sexual exploitation of children, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

William Joseph Leuschen, 38, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Susan Paradise Baxter.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that from in and around May 2020 to in and around February 2022, Leuschen received and possessed images depicting prepubescent minors, some as young as infants and toddlers, engaging in sexually explicit conduct. As part of his plea, Leuschen agreed to a sentence of 15 years in jail to be followed by ten years of supervised release.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

Judge Baxter scheduled sentencing for April 17, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. The law provides for maximum a total sentence of 40 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

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

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Erie County Detectives Bureau and the Erie County Adult Probation and Parole Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Leuschen.

PITTSBURGH, PA -After deliberating for two days, a federal jury found companies operating two Pittsburgh-area nursing homes, Comprehensive Healthcare Management Services, LLC, d/b/a Brighton Rehabilitation and Wellness Center (Brighton) and Mt. Lebanon Operations, LLC, d/b/a Mount Lebanon Rehabilitation and Wellness Center (Mt. Lebanon), guilty of making false statements in connection with the payment of health care benefits and for the purpose of obstructing and impeding the investigation and proper administration of a matter within the jurisdiction of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. Brighton was convicted of six counts and Mt. Lebanon was convicted of four counts. Brighton and Mt. Lebanon were tried before United States District Judge Robert J. Colville in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Additional individual defendants were acquitted.

Evidence presented at trial established that Brighton and Mt. Lebanon falsified staffing information provided to the Pennsylvania Department of Health and CMS to show that the facilities were in compliance with the conditions of participation in Medicare and Medicaid. The false certifications were provided to evade penalties that the government regulators could have imposed for failing to meet those conditions, including the condition that the facilities provide sufficient staffing to meet the needs of the residents.

Judge Colville scheduled sentencing for a date to be set in May, 2024. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of five years’ probation, a fine of $500,000, 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 defendants.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Stephen R. Kaufman, Nicole A. Stockey, Karen Gal-Or, Jacqueline C. Brown, and Robert S. Cessar, along with Special Assistant United States Attorney Aaron McKendry.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General conducted the investigation that led to the convictions of the nursing facilities in this case.

PITTSBURGH, PA – Kenneth Miller pled guilty to conspiring to distribute cocaine, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Miller, age 62, of Farrell, Pennsylvania, pled guilty before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon. Miller pled guilty to conspiring to distribute a quantity of cocaine between June 2020 and June 2021. Judge Bissoon scheduled sentencing to occur on April 10, 2024, at 10:00 a.m.

The law provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is to be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorneys Benjamin C. Dobkin and Craig W. Haller are prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Lawrence County Drug Task Force, the Mercer County Drug Task Force, the New Castle Police Department, the Sharon Police Department, the Hermitage Police Department, and the Farrell Police Department led the investigation resulting in the conviction in this case.

This prosecution is a result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles high-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten communities throughout the United States. OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

PITTSBURGH – Seven individuals have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. The charges stem from the Department of Justice’s wide-ranging efforts to protect older adults from fraud and financial exploitation.

Defendants, Jason Plummer, 31; Troy Williams, 38; and Tajay Singh, 26, each of Montego Bay, Jamaica, were each named in separate, two-count Indictments. A fourth two-count Indictment named defendants Tashane Murray, 30, of Miramar, Florida; Clevon McKenzie, 31, of Mount Vernon, New York; Gyzzell Byfield, 27, of Bridgeport, Connecticut; and Daneil Reid, 27, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Murray, McKenzie, Byfield, and Reid were arrested in the United States on November 16, 2023. Plummer and Singh were arrested in Jamaica on December 13, 2023. Williams was arrested in Jamaica on December 14, 2023.

According to the Indictments, defendants executed a scheme to defraud that stole more than $2.8 million from the elderly and vulnerable victims in the Western District of Pennsylvania and elsewhere in the United States. As part of that scheme, conspirators contacted the victims and falsely told them that they had won a million or multi-million-dollar sweepstakes, but needed to pay certain taxes and fees before they could claim their prize. These claims were often reinforced with forged documents purporting to describe the sweepstakes winnings and required taxes and fees, some of which bore the seals of government agencies. Williams, Plummer, Singh, Murray, and McKenzie all targeted victims in one or more of those ways. The conspirators then directed the victims to send money, including cash, checks, and money orders, to people designated by the conspirators. Some of these people were victims of the lottery scam, who had been unwittingly fooled into accepting and moving money on behalf of the members of the conspiracy. Others, like Byfield and Reid, were members of the conspiracy themselves. After being laundered through a network of bank accounts and money mules, victim money was withdrawn by members of the conspiracy living in Jamaica.

“These defendants allegedly enriched themselves at the expense of elderly victims who believed they had won the lottery,” said U.S. Attorney Olshan. “Protecting our most vulnerable populations from the proliferation of targeted fraud schemes like the one alleged in this case remains a significant priority of our office. We will continue to work with all of our domestic and foreign law enforcement partners in our shared pursuit of justice on behalf of crime victims.”

“Those charged targeted and took advantage of some of the most vulnerable people in our society,” said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Mike Nordwall. “This was a wide-reaching conspiracy that cost victims millions of dollars. Unfortunately, it’s a crime that is increasing every year, and Pennsylvania remains one of top states in the country that is impacted. The FBI is dedicated to stopping crime groups abroad and here at home who exploit our seniors with financial fraud schemes.”

“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is committed to investigating fraudulent lottery schemes designed to defraud innocent victims,” said Lesley Allison, U.S. Postal Inspector in Charge in Pittsburgh. “Combating international fraud schemes is a priority of the Postal Inspection Service particularly since the fraudsters prey on our most vulnerable US citizens. Postal Inspectors will exhaust all efforts to identify and indict those responsible for using the US Mail to facilitate these egregious criminal acts against our seniors.”

“The interagency cooperation throughout this investigation has been exemplary as we all worked toward our common goal of safeguarding our valued seniors,” said Special Agent in Charge of HSI Philadelphia William S. Walker. “We ask the public to do their part in this fight as well. Check-in with senior citizens and loved ones frequently. Ask them about any transactions that may seem out of the ordinary. Together we can help to keep our family and friends financially safe and sound.”

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of twice the pecuniary loss to any victim, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey R. Bengel is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Postal Inspection Service, and United States Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation leading to the Indictments in this case. They were assisted in the investigation by other domestic and international agencies, including the United States Marshals Service, JOLT Fusion Center, Jamaican Constabulary Force, National Intelligence Bureau, Financial Investigations Division, Major Organized Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency, and Fugitive Apprehension Team. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance.

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

PITTSBURGH, PA – A resident of Euclid, Ohio, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh for sex trafficking of a child, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

The one-count Indictment named Donte Lashawn Cole, 39, as the sole defendant. According to allegations contained in a previously filed federal criminal complaint, in May 2023 Cole transported a minor female victim from Ohio to a hotel in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, to engage in commercial sex acts. Cole allegedly used online advertisements to market the minor for commercial sex services in Western Pennsylvania and elsewhere, from April 2023 to October of 2023. With the assistance of the Northeast Ohio Human Trafficking Taskforce, Cole was taken into custody at his residence in Euclid, Ohio, where the minor was also located partially nude in an upstairs bedroom.

“This defendant allegedly offered for sale the sexual exploitation of a child—an egregious violation of the innocent,” said U.S. Attorney Olshan. “Along with our partners in federal, state, and local law enforcement, we will continue our work to identify, investigate, and bring to justice those who pursue profit through sex trafficking of minors. We implore anyone who knows or suspects that a minor may be the victim of sex trafficking to contact law enforcement.”

“Without collaboration between law enforcement, human traffickers are able to move from city to city and state to state in the shadows, while profiting from traumatic acts their victims feel obligated to perform,” Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry said. “Our charges, and the ensuing federal indictment, bring this egregious conduct to light and seek to end a reign of predatory behavior.”

The federal charge provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Rob Schupansky and Special Assistant United States Attorney Summer Carroll are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Department of Homeland Security Investigations and the Attorney General’s Office of Pennsylvania conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

If you are the victim of human trafficking or may have information about a potential trafficking situation, please call the FBI, local law enforcement, or the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) at 1-888-373-7888. NHTRC is a national, toll-free hotline, with specialists available to answer calls from anywhere in the country, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, every day of the year related to potential trafficking victims, suspicious behaviors, and/or locations where trafficking is suspected to occur. To submit a tip to the NHTRC online please visit https://humantraffickinghotline.org/report-trafficking.

An indictment and a criminal complaint are accusations. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
 

ERIE, PA - A former resident of Edinboro, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 5 years in prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a special assessment of $5,100 on his conviction of violating federal laws relating to the sexual exploitation of children, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

United States District Judge Susan Paradise Baxter imposed the sentence on James Paredes Andrada, age 25.

According to information presented to the court, from November 2019 to February 2020, Andrada received and possessed computer and cell phone images depicting minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

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

United States Attorney Olshan commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police and the Edinboro Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Andrada.

PITTSBURGH, PA – Raesean M. Wilson, age 21, a resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to two charges of violating federal firearm laws, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

According to information presented to the court, in March 2022, Wilson was convicted in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas of being a person not to possess firearms, a felony offense. On or about September 21, 2022, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police observed Wilson in possession of a 9mm semi-automatic pistol loaded with an extended magazine and 30 rounds of ammunition in the Northview Heights community in Pittsburgh’s Northside neighborhood. Under federal law, a convicted felon is prohibited from possessing ammunition. On January 3, 2023, a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh indicted Wilson for this incident and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

On or about January 26, 2023, after being indicted for the previous incident, Wilson was stopped by Pennsylvania State Troopers in downtown Pittsburgh for a moving traffic violation and found to be in possession of a .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol loaded with an extended magazine and 23 rounds of ammunition. On February 28, 2023, a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh indicted Wilson for this second firearms offense.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 15 years in prison, a fine of not more than $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Carl J. Spindler prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police; Pennsylvania State Police; and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation in this case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

ERIE, Pa. - A former resident of Clarendon, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 25 years in prison, lifetime supervised release, and ordered to pay $8,300 in restitution, on his conviction of violating federal laws relating to the sexual exploitation of children, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

United States District Judge Stephanie Haines imposed the sentence on Jeffrey Colin Rogers, age 60.

The evidence presented at trial established that in November 2017, Rogers used his cellphone to take multiple sexually explicit photos of two minors after providing them marijuana and alcohol at his apartment in Sheffield, Pennsylvania. Rogers then stored the photos on his phone. The Pennsylvania State Police discovered the illegal images after executing a search warrant at Rogers’ apartment in February 2018 and seizing Rogers’ phone.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

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

United States Attorney Olshan commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Rogers.

PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges that he defrauded customers of his snow and ice removal business, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

The nine-count Indictment named Charles W. Lantzman, 50, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as the sole defendant.

According to the Indictment presented to the court, from December 2018 through March 2019, Lantzman engaged in a scheme to defraud customers by padding the bills of customers with charges for services that were not performed. The Indictment specifically charges six counts of wire fraud. Lantzman is also charged with three counts of money laundering, occurring between December 2018 and March 2019.

For each of the wire fraud counts, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 20 years in prison, a fine of not more than $250,000.00 or twice the gross gain to any person or loss to any person other than the defendant, or both. The law also provides for a maximum term of imprisonment of not more than 10 years, as well as a potential fine, on each of the money laundering counts. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, and United States Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.

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

PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of McKees Rocks, PA, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of theft of mail by an officer or employee of the United States Postal Service, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

India Schatzman, age 49, of McKees Rocks, PA, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge William S. Stickman, IV.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on December 30, 2022, Schatzman, who was a postal employee at the Pittsburgh Process and Distribution Center, was surveilled by inspectors of the Postal Inspection Service stealing a Visa gift card from a greeting card intended for a recipient in the State of Washington.

Judge Stickman scheduled sentencing for April 19, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than five years in prison, a fine of not more than $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, the court continued the defendant’s bond.

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

The United States Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Schatzman.

PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Aliquippa, PA, has been sentenced in federal court to a total of 5 years of imprisonment, followed by 4 years of supervised release, in connection with his involvement in a drug trafficking organization from May 2021 to November 2021, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

United States District Judge William S. Stickman imposed the sentence on Anthony Tusweet Smith, Jr., age 24.

According to information presented to the court, Smith belonged to a multi-defendant conspiracy that dealt in large quantities of controlled substances. Within the conspiracy, Smith distributed fentanyl to end users in the vicinity of his residence in Aliquippa, PA. In conjunction with his federal arrest, law enforcement seized four firearms from that residence, to include a loaded semiautomatic rifle with an attached 30-round capacity magazine near packaged fentanyl. During the course of the conspiracy, Smith was responsible for the distribution and/or the possession with intent to distribute at least 40 grams of fentanyl.

Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Stickman stressed that mixing drugs and guns equates to death within the community.

The successful prosecution of Smith was the result of an extensive and collaborative investigation conducted by Federal, state, and local law enforcement operating under the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program in Beaver County.

Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna and Special Assistant United States Attorney Kara Cotter prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

United States Attorney Olshan commended the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General and the Drug Enforcement Administration for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Smith.

PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Pittsburgh, PA, has been sentenced in federal court to a total of 10 years of imprisonment on his revocation of federal supervised release in connection with his violent conduct occurring in July of 2022, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

United States District Judge W. Scott Hardy imposed the sentence on Damien Bradford, age 42.

According to information presented to the court, Bradford was previously convicted in the Northern District of Ohio of Interstate Stalking and Use and Carry of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony. Those convictions related to Bradford’s killing of Dr. Gulam Moonda in May 2005. Bradford was initially sentenced to a 210-month term of imprisonment, followed by 5-years of federal supervised release. Upon his release from imprisonment, Bradford’s supervision was transferred from the Northern District of Ohio to the Western District of Pennsylvania. On July 29, 2022, the Pennsylvania State Police charged Bradford with numerous offenses, to include Attempted Homicide, Aggravated Assault – Fear of Imminent Serious Bodily Injury Designated Individual, Assault of Law Enforcement Officer, Disarming Law Enforcement Officer, and Possession of Firearms Prohibited. In November 2023, Bradford was convicted in the Beaver County Court of Common Pleas and sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 36 1/2 to 73 years.

Following that sentencing proceeding, a federal supervised release violation hearing was held. At the proceeding, the government introduced videos of Bradford’s conduct in July 2022. The videos depicted Bradford pointing a firearm at an individual, a bystander applying a torniquet to a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper who Bradford shot in the leg, and a bystander assisting another Pennsylvania State Police Trooper restrain Bradford as he grabbed the Trooper’s firearm and taser.

Bradford admitted to violating some conditions of his federal supervised release and requested that the Court impose a sentence to be served concurrently to his sentence in Beaver County. The government requested that the Court revoke Bradford’s supervised release, sentence him to the maximum term of imprisonment of 10-years, and to impose that sentence consecutively to the Beaver County sentence.

Judge Hardy imposed a total 10-year sentence, to be served consecutively to the Beaver County sentence. Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Hardy emphasized the seriousness of Bradford’s conduct, Bradford’s propensity for enduring violence, and the need to impose the maximum sentence authorized by law to protect the public from Bradford. Finally, Judge Hardy commended the bystanders who assisted the Pennsylvania State Police, as depicted in the videos introduced at the hearing.

Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

United States Attorney Olshan commended the Pennsylvania State Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Bradford.

PITTSBURGH – A resident of Duquesne, PA pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of production and attempted production of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

George Cobbs, age 41, pleaded guilty to three counts before United States District Judge W. Scott Hardy.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on July 14, 2021; September 22, 2021; and September 30, 2021, Cobbs attempted to and did use, persuade, induce, entice, and coerce a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing any visual depiction of such conduct.

Judge Hardy scheduled sentencing for April 9, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of not more than 90 years in prison, a fine of up to $750,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, Cobbs remains detained.

Assistant United States Attorney Heidi M. Grogan is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

FBI Pittsburgh Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Allegheny County Police Department, and the Duquesne Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Cobbs.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A resident of the Dominican Republic, has been sentenced in federal court to a total of 84 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release on his conviction of illegal reentry by a deported alien, United States Attorney Eric Olshan announced today.

United States District Judge Stephanie L. Haines imposed the sentence on Rudys Osvaldo Torres, age 50, of the Dominican Republic on December 7, 2023.

According to information presented to the court, on or about March 15, 2021, Torres, an alien who had previously been deported and removed from the United States, and who had knowingly, intentionally, and unlawfully reentered the United States, was found in the United States in Somerset County, Pennsylvania without having applied for and received permission from the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to reenter the United States.

Assistant United States Attorney Arnold P. Bernard, Jr. prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

Mr. Olshan commended the Pennsylvania State Police and Customs Enforcement for the investigation that led to the successful prosecution of Torres.

PITTSBURGH - A former resident of Perryopolis, PA has been sentenced in federal court to a total term of 276 months’ imprisonment (23 years) on his conviction for seven counts of child sexual exploitation, including the production and attempted production of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, possession of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, and transportation and attempted transportation of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon ordered a period of 25 years’ supervised release following McKenzie’s incarceration sentence and ordered that McKenzie pay restitution totaling $61,000.00 to his minor victims.

According to information presented to the court, on three separate occasions in 2020-2021, McKenzie induced a minor known to him to shower and change in a bathroom where he surreptitiously recorded the minor. McKenzie saved one of the videos that he had captured of this minor on a thumb drive where he also had saved hundreds of other videos of child sexual abuse material, including videos that depicted prepubescent minors, toddlers, and babies being sexually abused. Additionally, McKenzie transferred the videos he created of the minor to a Dropbox account, along with another video of an unknown minor showering and changing. At the time of this criminal conduct, McKenzie was employed by the Pennsylvania State Police as a Corporal. Law enforcement recovered the thumb drive containing the child sexual abuse material from the lapel pocket of McKenzie’s Pennsylvania State Police uniform.

In sentencing the defendant, Judge Bissoon acknowledged the pain and harm McKenzie caused all of the victims of his crimes. Judge Bissoon stated that McKenzie is a danger to society.

“This defendant betrayed his oath as a sworn law enforcement officer and victimized the very children he was sworn to protect,” said United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan. “McKenzie’s conduct represents the most disturbing betrayal of trust, and today’s sentence provides more proof that this office and our partners in law enforcement will bring the full force of federal law to seek justice for child sexual abuse victims.”

“The investigation, prosecution and sentencing of Sean McKenzie was made possible by the unparalleled cooperation between HSI Pittsburgh, the Pennsylvania State Police and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania,” said Special Agent in Charge of HSI Philadelphia William S. Walker. “Today’s sentence is a warning to all would-be predators that our law enforcement agencies continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute to the fullest extent those who harm children. This is especially true when the perpetrator of these horrific crimes is a law enforcement officer.”

Assistant United States Attorney Heidi M. Grogan prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

Homeland Security Investigations – Pittsburgh and the Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of McKenzie.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

PITTSBURGH, PA - A former resident of Uniontown, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of failure to register as a sex offender, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Jon Leslie Williams, age 65, formerly of Uniontown, PA, pleaded guilty to one count before Chief United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Williams, who had been convicted in Michigan in 1991 for Criminal Sexual Conduct and in Florida in 2014 for sexual battery, after raping a blind and deaf woman, both offenses for which Williams was required to register as a sex offender, had absconded from his Florida residence on July 23, 2021, traveled to Pennsylvania to live, and failed to update his sex offender registration, contrary to the provisions of the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). Williams is required to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life.

Judge Hornak scheduled sentencing for April 10, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than ten years in prison, a fine of not more than $250,000.00, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, the court ordered that Williams remain detained.

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

The United States Marshal Service conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Williams.

PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Pittsburgh has been sentenced in federal court on a charge of violating federal firearms laws, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Chief United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak sentenced Isaac Akwasi Duku, Jr., age 23, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to 34 months in prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release.

According to information provided to the court, Duku Jr. has several prior convictions for firearm offenses, some of which involved drugs and indications of drug trafficking. On May 28, 2022, Duku Jr. unlawfully possessed a privately made .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol that was loaded with an extended magazine and 20 rounds of .40 caliber ammunition. Law enforcement observed and recorded Duku Jr. possessing this pistol in Pittsburgh’s North Side using the city’s surveillance system shortly before locating the pistol and ammunition near his person. Under federal law, a convicted felon is prohibited from possessing ammunition.

Assistant United States Attorney Carl J. Spindler prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

PITTSBURGH, PA – Donte Smith pled guilty and was sentenced to 72 months in federal prison for committing drug trafficking crimes, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Smith, age 44, of Cleveland, Ohio, pled guilty before, and was sentenced by, Chief United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak.

Smith pled guilty to committing the following crimes in New Castle, Mercer County, Pennsylvania: (1) conspiracy to distribute at least 40 grams of fentanyl, 50 grams of methamphetamine, 28 grams of cocaine base, a quantity of cocaine, and a quantity of heroin, from March 2020 to August 2021; (2) distribution of heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine base, on October 30, 2020; (3) possession with intent to distribute of at least 40 grams of fentanyl, 50 grams of methamphetamine, 28 grams of cocaine base, and a quantity of cocaine, on August 12, 2021; and (4) possession with intent to distribute of at least 40 grams of a mixture containing fentanyl and cocaine, and of another quantity of cocaine, on December 20, 2022.

Judge Hornak ordered Smith to serve four years of supervised release following his prison sentence.

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

The Lawrence County Drug Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the New Castle Police Department, the Shenango Police Department, and the Hickory Township Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the convictions and sentence in this case.

PITTSBURGH, PA – Sylvia Ferguson was sentenced to 15 months in prison for drug trafficking, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Ferguson, age 43, of Sharon, Pennsylvania, was sentenced by United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon. Judge Bissoon ordered Ferguson to serve three years of supervised release following her prison sentence.

Ferguson pled guilty earlier this year to conspiring to distribute morphine from July 2019 to November 2021 in Sharon, Mercer County. She was on probation at that time as a result of a prior conviction in state court.

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

The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the conviction and sentence in this case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of violating federal fraud laws, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Corey Mizell, age 51, formerly of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to four-counts of embezzlement by an officer or employee of the United States and one-count of mail fraud before United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that in April 2020, Corey Mizell began working as an agent cashier at the H. John Heinz III Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. In that capacity, patients would bring him veteran benefit checks to be deposited into their patient accounts. When the veterans wanted to withdraw cash from their patient accounts, they would physically appear before Mizell at his teller window to request a withdrawal. To effectuate the transaction, Mizell would call a disbursing officer, who would confirm for Mizell that the veteran had an account and provide him a transaction number. Mizell would then complete a Patient Funds Form to document the withdrawal and hand the patient the requested cash.

In January 2021, the sister of a deceased veteran called the VA Police after reviewing the balance in her brother’s patient account. According to the sister, her brother was essentially bedridden due to his disability and the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, he could not spend the amount of cash withdrawn from his account. Subsequently, the VA Police opened an investigation into the account activity and questioned the teller who conducted each withdrawal – Mizell.

Mizell initially informed the VA Police that someone must have misrepresented their identity to him in order to fraudulently obtain the funds. Mizell also opined that he was an easy target for such a scheme since he recently became an agent cashier. The investigation revealed that Mizell would call for authorization to withdraw funds from patients who were either on COVID lockdown or who could not leave their room without an escort due to their disabilities. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General (VA-OIG), confronted Mizell after driving by his residence to find a remodel of the backyard and exterior of his home.

Subsequently, Mizell participated in an interview with the VA-OIG. He provided a written confession in which he admitted to “fraudulently taking money . . . from accounts of veterans.” He attributed his conduct to losing income during the pandemic and unpaid bills. Mizell identified taking money from three veterans. He estimated the total amount embezzled as $17,660. Mizell resigned from the VA on April 20, 2021.

Following Mizell’s resignation, one veteran reported that he noticed over $1,000 missing from his patient account. Law enforcement determined that $1,175 in cash withdrawals occurred from that veteran’s account between November 2020 and January 2021. While Mizell did not identify this person in his written statement, the evidence supports that Mizell embezzled from that account as well. For each withdrawal, Mizell was the cashier, and he withdrew money from that account on four occasions when he embezzled money from other patients accounts. In addition, the VA-OIG determined that the amount of cash deposited by Mizell into his bank account was consistent with the total amount embezzled.

As part of the VA’s investigation, a digital forensic examination was completed on Mizell’s VA computer. The examination revealed that Mizell, on numerous occasions, visited an unemployment compensation website maintained by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As a result, the United States Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, conducted a separate investigation into Mizell related to filing for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC).

Individuals are only eligible for these pandemic benefits if they are unemployed for reasons related to the COVID-19 pandemic and are available to work. Therefore, individuals must certify on an electronic application that they are unemployed due to the pandemic and are available to accept work. After submission, the application is transmitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor for review. If approved for pandemic benefits, individuals are notified of the amount they will receive. In addition to the initial application, and in order to continue receiving pandemic benefits, individuals must certify on a weekly basis that they are still eligible to receive benefits. Of note, individuals are able to certify that they were unemployed for prior weeks in the pandemic and receive benefits for those weeks. The government transported the resulting payment of benefits in the form of checks and debit cards via the mail.

The Department of Labor’s investigation into Mizell revealed that he filed an electronic application for pandemic benefits on April 24, 2020. Despite working for the VA since 2016, Mizell falsified that he was not a federal employee on a VA computer using the VA medical center’s IP address. Beginning in May 2020, Mizell falsified that he was not working fulltime. During that time, he was working fulltime as an agent cashier. In April 2021, Mizell resigned from the VA. Nevertheless, in his weekly unemployment certifications, he represented that he was unemployed due to the pandemic. These falsifications allowed Mizell to collect pandemic benefits.

Mizell collected a total of $38,400 in unemployment pandemic benefits from April 2020 until September 2021. He initially received checks, but pandemic benefits were then disbursed via a debit card, which was reloaded with additional money by the government following Mizell’s weekly certifications. On June 5, 2020, the United States Postal Service transported the debit card in Mizell’s name to an address associated with him in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Judge Fischer scheduled sentencing for March 18, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, the court continued Mizell on bond.

Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General and Department of Veterans Affairs – Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Mizell.

PITTSBURGH, PA – A resident of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to federal hate crime charges, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Tyler Smith, 32, of New Brighton, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy, and one count of violating the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, before United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan.

According to admissions made during Smith’s plea hearing, he and co-defendant Zachary Dinell were employees of an in-patient health care facility located in New Brighton, Pennsylvania. Residents of the facility suffered from a range of severe physical, intellectual, and emotional disabilities, and required assistance with all activities of daily life, including bathing, using the bathroom, oral hygiene, feeding, and dressing. As members of the facility’s Direct Care Staff, Smith admitted that he and Dinell were responsible for providing this daily assistance to residents.

From approximately June 2016 to September 2017, Smith further admitted that he and Dinell engaged in a conspiracy to commit hate crimes against residents of the facility because of the residents’ actual or perceived disabilities. Smith and Dinell carried out assaults in a variety of ways, including by punching and kicking residents, rubbing liquid irritants in their eyes, spraying liquid irritants in their eyes and mouths, and in one instance removing a resident’s compression stocking in a manner intended to inflict pain. Several of these assaults were recorded on Dinell’s cell phone. In one instance, Smith admitted jumping on top of a 13-year-old minor, while the child was lying prone on his bed, and while Dinell filmed the incident on his cellular phone. Smith further acknowledged that immediately after recording the video, Dinell texted the video to him.

As part of the conspiracy, Smith also acknowledged that he and Dinell exchanged text messages in which they expressed their animus toward the disabled residents, shared photographs and videos of residents, described their assaults, and encouraged each other’s continued abuse of residents.

Smith further admitted that he and Dinell were able to avoid detection by, among other things, exploiting their one-on-one access to residents of the facility and the fact that the victims were non-verbal and could not report the defendants’ abuse. Due to their physical disabilities, the residents also were not able to defend themselves against the assaults.

The maximum penalty for the conspiracy charge is a term of imprisonment of five years and a $250,000 fine. The maximum penalty for the hate crime charge is a term of imprisonment of ten years and a $250,000 fine.

As part of his plea agreement, and subject to the approval of Judge Ranjan, Smith has agreed to a term of imprisonment of not less than 60 months and not more than 120 months. Zachary Dinell previously pleaded guilty to all charges and was sentenced on January 26, 2023, to 17 years’ imprisonment, followed by three years’ supervised release.

Assistant United States Attorneys Carolyn J. Bloch and Brendan J. McKenna are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.

PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Rostraver, PA has been sentenced in federal court to 30 months in prison and 1 year of supervised release on her conviction of wire fraud, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan imposed the sentence on Patty Lynn Mavrakis, 65, of Rostraver, PA.

According to information presented to the court, Mavrakis was a Branch Manager for Valley 1st Community Federal Credit Union and, in September 2016, she embezzled $399,230.00 from the credit union. In order to conceal the theft, she intentionally started a fire in the credit union’s safe and claimed a faulty wire caused the fire and destroyed the missing currency. In the days following the fire, she made a fraudulent insurance claim on behalf of the credit union for the missing currency. 

She further made numerous false statements to law enforcement as they investigated the embezzlement and fire. Finally, the court was advised that Mavrakis likely used the embezzled funds on gambling, as she lost approximately four times her annual salary in the months following the embezzlement and fire.

Assistant United States Attorney Lee J. Karl prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

United States Attorney Olshan commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Mavrakis.

PITTSBURGH, PA – A resident of Lowell, Michigan pleaded guilty in federal court to charges related to the sexual exploitation of minors, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Frank Davis, age 30, pleaded guilty to three counts before United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on August 9, 2022, Davis induced a minor during an online chat to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing any visual depiction of the conduct and to send the sexually explicit material to Davis. On the same date, Davis knowingly received videos of the minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct. On August 18, 2022, as well as on other dates in August 2022, Davis sent to the minor obscene videos depicting himself engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

Judge Schwab scheduled sentencing for April 16, 2024, at 8:45 a.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 15 years and up to 60 years in prison, a fine of $750,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, Davis remains detained.

Assistant United States Attorney Heidi M. Grogan is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

Homeland Security Investigations-Pittsburgh, the Pennsylvania State Police, Homeland Security Investigations-Grand Rapids (Michigan), and the Lowell Police Department (Michigan) conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Davis.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

PITTSBURGH, PA – A former resident of Homestead, Pennsylvania, has been charged in a superseding indictment by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh for possession of a machinegun in furtherance of drug trafficking and other offenses, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

The three-count Superseding Indictment named Erik Addison, age 27, as the sole defendant.

According to the Superseding Indictment, on May 8, 2023, Addison possessed with intent to distribute a quantity of fentanyl and heroin, possessed a machinegun in furtherance of that drug trafficking crime, and also possessed a Glock pistol equipped with a part commonly referred to as a “Glock Switch,” designed to convert a semiautomatic Glock-style handgun into a machinegun capable of fully automatic fire.

As to the most serious offense, possession of a machinegun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, the law provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years of imprisonment with a maximum possible sentence of life, as well as a maximum possible fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

At the time of the new alleged offenses, Addison was serving a term of supervised release following his conviction for a prior federal firearm offense in 2021. As a result, he is now the subject of separate federal court proceedings to revoke his supervised release. According to court records in the supervised release matter, it is alleged that Addison was the subject of an attempted traffic stop on May 8, 2023. Rather than complying with law enforcement, Addison allegedly fled from the traffic stop—striking multiple law enforcement vehicles as he did so—and proceeded at a high rate of speed across the Homestead Grays Bridge from Pittsburgh to the Boroughs of Homestead and West Homestead. Addison’s vehicle was subsequently located, heavily damaged and abandoned. Multiple officers from various jurisdictions responded. One officer saw Addison fleeing on foot, and while that officer pursued him, multiple shots allegedly were fired. Addison was then apprehended and found to be in possession of the firearm that is the subject of the new federal charges contained in the Superseding Indictment.

In addition to the charges returned by the federal grand jury and the alleged supervised release violations, Addison is also facing charges in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas, including aggravated assault and attempted murder of a law enforcement officer stemming from his alleged conduct on May 8, 2023.

“Glock switches turn handguns into machineguns,” said United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan. “Erik Addison allegedly possessed one such machinegun in furtherance of his fentanyl and heroin dealing—a lethal combination of staggering proportions. This office and our dedicated partners in law enforcement will continue our ceaseless pursuit of violent offenders in order to protect the community and ordinary citizens who just want to walk down the street without fear of deadly gunfire.”

“The conduct allegedly committed by the defendant was reprehensible, reckless and extremely dangerous to the community. Stopping individuals who utilize machineguns to facilitate the illegal drug trade is one of ATF’s highest priorities,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Eric DeGree. “We want to thank our local partners for their diligence and courage in his apprehension, as well as the support of the United States Attorney’s Office as we continue to work to take illegal weapons off the streets.”

“This was a violent incident involving a dangerous, illegal weapon,” said Allegheny County Police Superintendent Christopher Kearns. “This arrest is a perfect example of how our work with our local and federal partners allows us to target dangerous individuals and weapons to keep our communities safe.”

Assistant United States Attorneys Douglas C. Maloney and Brendan T. Conway are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Allegheny County Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the Superseding Indictment in this case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

A superseding indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Violations of the conditions of supervised release must be proven by the government by a preponderance of the evidence.

WASHINGTON — The Justice Department announced today that Allegheny County, Pennsylvania has agreed to offer treatment with any Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medication for opioid use disorder (OUD) to all individuals booked into the Allegheny County Jail (ACJ) for whom such treatment is medically appropriate. Allegheny County will also pay $10,000 to an individual allegedly denied access to methadone in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). 

The ADA prohibits state and local governments from discriminating against individuals with disabilities and protects people in recovery from OUD, including individuals who are taking OUD medication at the direction of a medical provider.

“Too many individuals with opioid use disorder cycle in and out of jails because they can’t find a path to recovery,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This agreement will ensure that Allegheny County Jail provides access to medications that can help break that cycle. These effective, evidence-backed treatments provide viable paths to recovery for those struggling with substance use disorders and help our communities begin to heal.”

“Allegheny County, like so much of the country, has been hit hard by the opioid epidemic,” said U.S. Attorney Eric G. Olshan for the Western District of Pennsylvania. “This agreement ensures that effective OUD treatment will be available to those in Allegheny County who need it most. We appreciate the county’s cooperation in reaching this agreement and look forward to continuing to collaborate in making improvements to ACJ and demonstrating what other jails and prisons must do to address the needs of individuals with opioid use disorder and comply with the ADA.”

Under the three-year agreement, Allegheny County will implement new policies and personnel training programs to ensure that people with OUD who are incarcerated at ACJ receive medically appropriate treatment for their disability. Specifically, Allegheny County will medically evaluate all individuals for OUD at the start of their incarceration. It will ensure that individuals who were receiving OUD medication from a licensed treatment provider before their incarceration are continued on that medication. The county will also offer all individuals with OUD booked into the jail the option to receive treatment with any FDA-approved medically appropriate OUD medication, even if they were not being treated with that medication before their incarceration.

Allegheny County will not change or discontinue an individual’s use of a particular OUD medication unless doing so is based on an individualized determination by a qualified medical provider. The county also will not use incentives, rewards or punishments to encourage or discourage individuals at ACJ from receiving any particular OUD medication. 
The Civil Rights Division’s Disability Rights Section handled this matter in collaboration with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

The Justice Department plays a lead role in combatting the opioid epidemic, including by removing barriers to treatment for OUD. For more information about the Justice Department’s work to address discrimination against individuals with opioid use disorder, please visit www.ada.gov/topics/opioid-use-disorder/. For more information on the Civil Rights Division, please visit www.justice.gov/crt. For more information on the ADA, please call the department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 1-800-514-0301 (TDD 800-514-0383) or visit www.ada.gov.

Note: View the agreement here.

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A former resident of Coalport, PA, has been sentenced in federal court to a total of 87 months in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release on his conviction of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, United States Attorney Eric Olshan announced today.

Senior United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson imposed the sentence on Jacob Troxell, age 33, of Coalport, Pennsylvania on November 29, 2023.

According to information presented to the court, on or about July 22, 2019, Troxell did possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.

Assistant United States Attorney Arnold P. Bernard, Jr. prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

Mr. Olshan commended the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Pennsylvania State Police for the investigation that led to the successful prosecution of Troxell.

PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Castle Shannon, PA, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine and a quantity of cocaine, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Michael Hunsinger, age 58, pleaded guilty to one count before Senior United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on June 3, 2022, the Castle Shannon Police Department executed a state court search warrant at the defendant’s residence. During the search, the officers seized large quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine from a vehicle located in the driveway of the residence and smaller quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine, along with digital scales, and $1,046 in U.S. currency from inside the house. The defendant informed the agent and officers that the quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine found in the car and in the house were his and that he intended to distribute those drugs.

Senior Judge Schwab scheduled sentencing for April 10, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of not less than five years and not more than 40 years in prison, a fine of $5,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, the court continued the defendant’s detention.

Assistant United States Attorney Nicole Stockey is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Castle Shannon Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Hunsinger.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.