Western District of Pennsylvania

PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Las Vegas, Nevada, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of conspiracy to commit access device fraud, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Hector Ofelio Podio Gutierrez, age 30, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that 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.

Judge Bissoon scheduled sentencing for November 1, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 5 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. Podio Gutierrez remains on bond pending sentencing.

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

The United States Postal Inspection Service and the United States Secret Service conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Podio Gutierrez.

PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Las Vegas, Nevada, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of conspiracy to commit access device fraud, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Hector Ofelio Podio Gutierrez, age 30, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that 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.

Judge Bissoon scheduled sentencing for November 1, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 5 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. Podio Gutierrez remains on bond pending sentencing.

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

The United States Postal Inspection Service and the United States Secret Service conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Podio Gutierrez.

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A former resident of Cairnbrook, PA, has been sentenced in federal court to a total of 33 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release on his convictions of possessing with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and unlawfully possessing a firearm, United States Attorney Eric Olshan announced today.

United States District Judge Stephanie Haines imposed the sentence on Travis Emert, age 44, of Cairnbrook, Pennsylvania.

According to information presented to the court, on or about November 9, 2021, Emert knowingly, intentionally, and unlawfully, possessed with the intent to distribute a quantity of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance. Further, on or about November 9, 2021, Emert knowingly, intentionally, and unlawfully, possessed firearms and ammunition, after having previously been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year.

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

Mr. Olshan commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Laurel Highlands Resident Agency, the Pennsylvanian State Police, and the Somerset County District Attorney’s Office for the investigation that led to the successful prosecution of Emert.

PITTSBURGH, PA - Two residents of Pittsburgh, PA, have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of conspiracy and obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

The three-count Indictment named Brian DiPippa, age 36, and his wife, Krystal DiPippa, age 40, as defendants.

According to the Indictment, on April 18, 2023, the DiPippas participated in a protest at the O'Hara Student Center on the University of Pittsburgh campus, at which time Brian DiPippa ignited and dropped two homemade smoke bomb containers in and around a line of persons waiting to enter the O’Hara Student Center to attend a scheduled event featuring guest speakers. The Indictment further alleges that, when Pitt Police officers gathered and formed a barrier to prevent the protesters from entering the rear of the building, Brian DiPippa, concealed by his wife, Krystal DiPippa, ignited and threw a large explosive firework into the group of Pitt officers, causing a loud explosion and injuries to several officers. Brian DiPippa was also charged with using an explosive to commit a federal felony.

For the charges of conspiracy and obstruction of law enforcement, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $500,000 or both. The charge of using an explosive to commit a federal felony has a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years imprisonment, with a maximum fine of $250,000. 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 Shaun E. Sweeney is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Federal Bureau of Investigation Joint Terrorism Task Force, of which the University of Pittsburgh Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and Pittsburgh Bureau of Police are all members, 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 Garfield, New Jersey, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of interstate transportation of a stolen vehicle, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Angel Alfonso Arias-Miranda, age 53, pleaded guilty to one count of transporting a stolen motor vehicle in interstate commerce before United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Arias-Miranda, on October 11, 2020, transported a stolen vehicle, namely, a 2012 Mack drilling rig, from Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, to New Jersey, knowing that the vehicle had been stolen.

Judge Ranjan scheduled sentencing for Arias-Miranda on October 16, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than ten (10) years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

The court ordered that the defendant remain on bond pending sentencing.

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

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

PITTSBURGH, PA - A Florida resident has been sentenced in federal court to 36 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, plus restitution of $158,250 on his conviction for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan imposed the sentence on Adrian Orozco Perez, 26, of Kissimmee, Florida.

According to information presented to the court, Orozco Perez was part of a scam that targeted elderly victims in Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Georgia. As part of the scam, the elderly victims were falsely informed that their grandchildren were being detained by law enforcement and needed cash in order to pay their bail. Orozco Perez, who functioned as a courier for the scam, picked up cash from the elderly victims at their homes while posing as a bail-bondsman.

Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Ranjan stated that Orozco Perez’s conduct had been egregious and emphasized the emotional and financial harm done to vulnerable victims. Orozco Perez was taken into the custody of the United States Marshals at the conclusion of the hearing.

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

United States Attorney Olshan commended the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Orozco Perez.

PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Pittsburgh, PA, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of forcible assault of a federal employee, use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

The three-count Indictment named Martinel Humphries, age 28, as the sole defendant.

According to the Indictment, on January 5, 2023, Humphries used a firearm in assaulting a United States Postal Service employee. Because of his prior felony convictions, including a prior conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, Humphries was not permitted to have a firearm.

The law provides for a ten year minimum sentence on the charge that Humphries used a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and a maximum total sentence of not more than 20 years in prison on the forcible assault charge and not more than 15 years in prison on the felon in possession charge, a fine of not more than $250,000 on each count, a term of supervised release of not more than five years on the forcible assault and use of a firearm counts and not more than three years on the felon in possession count, or a combination thereof. 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 William B. Guappone 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, with assistance from the Pittsburgh Police Department and Ross Township Police Department.

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

PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Los Angeles, California, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of conspiring to commit health care fraud, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

The one-count Indictment named Seyed Hamed Razavi Rahmani, also known as Hamed Ramni, age 39, who resides in Los Angeles, California, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment presented to the court, Rahmani was part of the Insure Nutrition enterprise that provided bariatric patients with free nutritional shakes as an inducement to get patients’ medical insurance information in order to market expensive medications that were of questionable medical value to those patients. In the process, Insure Nutrition gained access to the purchasers’ personal information and insurance coverage, thereby allowing them to bill insurance companies for these products. As a part of the scheme in which Rahmani was an active participant, Insure Nutrition did not collect co-payments on the excessively expensive medications and fabricated procedures to mislead auditors concerning the critical issue of co-payments.

Pursuant to previous Indictments associated with this scheme, other defendants who have entered guilty pleas have forfeited more than $54,000,000 in fraudulent proceeds that have been sent to the victim insurance carriers as partial reimbursement for losses they sustained.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

The FBI 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 previous resident of Uniontown, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of distributing material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

William Kenneth Bosley, Jr., age 53, who is currently incarcerated at the Somerset State Correctional Institution on a previous felony conviction, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Bosley sent a sexually explicit photograph of a minor via text message.

Sentencing is scheduled for October 16, 2023. The law provides for a total sentence of not less than 5 years and not more than 20 years in prison, a fine of not more than $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, the court ordered the defendant be detained.

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 Jeffrey R. Bengel is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of William Bosley.

ERIE, Pa. - A resident of Erie, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to eight years in jail, five years supervised release, ordered to make restitution in the amount of $18,000 and pay a special assessment in the amount of $5,200 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 Randy Lee Eicher, of Erie, Pennsylvania.

According to information presented to the court, from September 2018 to December 2018, Eicher received and distributed images and videos depicting prepubescent 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 Homeland Security Investigations and the Boone, North Carolina Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Eicher.

PITTSBURGH, PA – A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge relating to Social Security Fraud, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

The one-count Indictment named Susan Mentser, age 70, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as the sole defendant.

According to the Indictment, from in and around June 2018, through in and around March 2020, Mentser stole and converted approximately $21,483.00 in Supplemental Security Income benefits, which had been deposited into her deceased mother’s bank account, to which Mentser knew she was not entitled.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than ten (10) 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 offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca L. Silinski is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.

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

PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Pittsburgh and a resident of Detroit, Michigan, have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of Fraud Conspiracy and Bank Fraud, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

The ten-count Indictment named Matthew Lloyd Parker, Jr., age 36, of Detroit, MI, and Virginia R. Humphries, age 35, of Pittsburgh, PA.

According to Indictment, between March 2020 and August 2021, Parker and Humphries defrauded the Small Business Administration and lenders of over $14,000,000 million dollars in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. Parker, a licensed CPA from Detroit, Michigan, and Humphries, a credit repair specialist in Pittsburgh, recruited hundreds of small businesses in Pittsburgh and Detroit and falsified PPP loan applications of which the SBA approved 226 applications, resulting in loans totaling approximately $14.5 million to businesses, the largest known PPP fraud in the Western District of Pennsylvania.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 50 years in prison, a fine of $1,250,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendants.

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

The United States Postal Inspection Services and Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.

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

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A federal grand jury in Pittsburgh has returned an Indictment following a five-month Title III wiretap investigation targeting a drug trafficking organization operating in the Pittsburgh area. The Indictment charges a total of 24 individuals residing in Pittsburgh with violations of federal drug and firearm laws, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

The nine-count Indictment names the following 24 individuals as the defendants:

- LAMONT BELL, 54, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
- DELANO BROWN, 36, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
- ANDRE CAIN, 46, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
- MARVIN COATES, 49, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
- ANTHONY COKER, 46, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
- MARK COOK, 55, of Clairton, Pennsylvania.
- ROBERT FIELDS, 29, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
- MARVIN GRIMMIT, 68, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
- TYRON HARRISON, 30, formerly of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
- BRIAN HORTON, 22, formerly of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
- ERIC HOWARD, 35, of McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania.
- WILLIAM JONES, 28, formerly of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
- MICAH LATIMER, 22, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
- ANTHONY LEE, 43, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
- WILLIAM LEWIS, 45, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
- SHAWN NORWOOD, 32, of South Park, Pennsylvania.
- EDWIN PEOPLES, 44, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
- ERIC PEOPLES, 46, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
- DAMON PETERS, 19, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
- KEVIN RUCKER, 52, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
- MAURICE SMITH, 28, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
- JAMONE WATSON, 28, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
- ROY WOOD, 47, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
- SEAN WOODY, 32, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

According to the Indictment, from July 2022 until June 2023, Rucker was a large-scale distributor of cocaine in the Pittsburgh area, and supplied several individuals, including Coker, with substantial quantities of cocaine. Coker, in turn, supplied several other Pittsburgh-area drug traffickers, many of whom were members and associates of the “Drizzy Gang” street gang. Members and associates of this gang trafficked firearms and narcotics in Pittsburgh’s Hill District, operating an open-air drug market on Watson Street.

Specifically, from July 2022 through June 2023, Rucker, Cain, Lewis, Bell, Coker, Woody, Latimer, Brown, Lee, Watson, Cook, Eric Peoples, Edwin Peoples, Fields, Coates, Wood, Norwood, and Grimmitt allegedly conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and/or crack cocaine, Schedule II controlled substances. Additionally, between March 2023 and May 23, 2023, Jones, Watson, Peters, and Brown allegedly conspired to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance. In a third alleged conspiracy, between February 2023 and June 2023, Howard and Brown conspired to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance. Lastly, Latimer, Smith, Lee, Jones, Harrison, and Horton allegedly possessed firearms and ammunition despite being prohibited as a result of prior felony convictions.

On June 22, 2023, a 25th defendant was charged by criminal complaint. According to the charging documents, John Johnson, age 46, has been charged with drug trafficking and firearms offenses following execution of a search warrant at his residence and the resulting recovery of suspected cocaine and a loaded firearm.

“This office is committed to protecting the residents of Western Pennsylvania from those whose violent and destructive actions jeopardize the safety and well-being of our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Olshan. “Together with our trusted law enforcement partners at the FBI, DEA, and Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, we will continue our effort to hold accountable the most dangerous offenders through effective enforcement of federal drug and firearm laws.”

“Violent groups don’t belong in our community,” said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Mike Nordwall. “We will continue to do everything we can to ensure the public can live free of fear, violence, and intimidation. These arrests are the direct result of the hard work and dedication of the FBI’s Greater Pittsburgh Safe Streets Task Force and our partners in their efforts to combat gang members who distribute dangerous drugs like heroin, cocaine, and fentanyl in our communities.”

“Today’s announcement deals a significant blow to a drug trafficking organization that has dealt misery and pain throughout the communities of Western Pennsylvania. The DEA and our law enforcement partners are committed to safeguarding the health and safety of our communities and to keeping Americans safe from the menace of drugs and the violence associated with their distribution,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Keith Hart, who is the head of DEA operations across Western Pennsylvania. “I commend the extreme hard work of the members of the DEA and our partners in making our communities safer.”

“With this indictment, several communities are breathing a little more easily today, reassured that the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and our federal law enforcement partners are consistently committed to disassembling criminal networks and inhibiting drug and gun pipelines which hurt children and families,” said Pittsburgh Police Chief Larry Scirotto. “We will continue to work closely with our local and federal partners and community members to prevent violent crime, because everyone deserves to live in secure and thriving neighborhoods.”

For Rucker, Cain, and Coker, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 10 years in prison and up to life, a fine of no greater than $10,000,000.00, a term of supervised release of at least five years, or a combination thereof. For Lewis and Woody, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 5 years in prison and up to 40 years in prison, a fine of no greater than $5,000,000, a term of supervised release of at least four years, or a combination thereof. For Bell, Latimer, Brown, Lee, Watson, Cook, Eric Peoples, Edwin Peoples, Fields, Coates, Wood, Norwood, Grimmitt, Jones, Peters, and Howard the law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of no greater than $1,000,000, a term of supervised release of at least three years, or a combination thereof. As to the firearms charges for Latimer, Smith, Lee, Jones, Harrison, and Horton, the law provides for a maximum sentence of 15 years, a fine of no greater than $250,000, and a term of supervised release of three years. For Johnson, the firearm charge carries a maximum total sentence of not less than 5 years in prison up to life, a term of supervised release of not less than three years, a fine of up to $1,500,000, or a combination thereof. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendants.

Assistant United States Attorneys Katherine C. Jordan and Douglas C. Maloney are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Pittsburgh Bureau of Police conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case. FBI Pittsburgh’s Safe Streets Task Force comprises investigators from the FBI, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Allegheny County Sheriff’s office, PA Attorney General’s Office, Penn Hills Police Department, and Allegheny County Probation and Parole.

This prosecution is a result of two Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigations. 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.

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

PITTSBURGH, PA – A former resident of Troutville, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty in federal court to violation of federal narcotics and money laundering laws related to a nine-month Title III wiretap investigation into drug trafficking in and around the counties of Jefferson, Clearfield, and Allegheny, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Derek Hillebrand, age 27, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possesses with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine, and a quantity of marijuana as well as one count of conspiracy to launder money before United States District Judge Christy Criswell Wiegand. Charlan was one of 47 defendants charged in six related indictments as part of the Return to Sender investigation.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Hillebrand received at least 220 pounds of methamphetamine and over 100 kilograms of marijuana that was shipped from California and Nevada. Hillebrand shipped a large amount of United States currency to the Stockton, California area to pay for the narcotics.

Judge Wiegand scheduled sentencing for Hillebrand on October 19, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. The law provides for a sentence of not less than ten years to a maximum of life in prison, a fine not to exceed $10,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

The court ordered that the defendant remain detained pending sentencing.

Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan D. Lusty and Michael R. Ball are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Drug Enforcement Administration led the multi-agency investigation of this case, which also included the 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.

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 Belle Vernon, PA, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of wire fraud, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Patty Lynn Mavrakis, 65, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that in September 2016, Mavrakis was the Branch Manager for Valley 1st Community Federal Credit Union in Belle Vernon, Pa. The Court was further advised that, on September 5, 2016, the Credit Union was closed because of Labor Day, but Mavrakis entered the Credit Union, accessed the safe, and left the Credit Union with multiple boxes, at least one of which contained cash from the safe. On the following day, September 6, 2016, Mavrakis arrived at the Credit Union before any other employees and staged a fire in the safe. As the only witness to the fire, Mavrakis falsely claimed that an alarm wire “caught on fire” and consumed $340,200 in cash. On September 7, 2016, Mavrakis submitted an insurance claim to the Credit Union’s insurance company and again falsely claimed that an alarm wire caused the fire. The insurance company processed and paid the claim.

Judge Horan scheduled sentencing for October 11, 2023, at 11:00 A.M. The law provides for a total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, the court ordered that Mavrakis may remain released on bond.

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

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Mavrakis.

PITTSBURGH, PA – A citizen of Burkina Faso has been sentenced in federal court to 57 months in prison and ordered to pay $131,338.45 in restitution on his conviction of wire fraud, interstate vehicle theft, and aggravated identity theft, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan imposed the sentence on Serge Ahmed Zeba, age 32.

According to information presented to the court, from November 2020 to January 2022, Zeba executed a scheme to steal high-end vehicles from car dealerships located throughout the United States. During the course of the scheme, Zeba stole seven vehicles and attempted to steal 19 more from numerous car dealerships using fake or altered money orders and the stolen personal identifiable information of at least 16 individuals.

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

United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, United States Department of State and the Pennsylvania State Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Zeba.

PITTSBURGH, PA – Lamont Bray pled guilty to fentanyl trafficking and gun crimes, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Bray, age 23 of Pittsburgh, pled guilty before United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan. Bray pled guilty to conspiring to falsify a firearm purchase form and to possessing fentanyl with intent to distribute. Judge Horan ordered sentencing to occur on October 11, 2023, at 10:00 a.m.

In support of the guilty plea, the Court was informed that, between October 2020 and February 2021, Bray and his co-defendant formed and carried out a scheme whereby the co-defendant would purchase firearms, from federally licensed firearms dealers, as if she was the actual purchaser, and as if she would be the actual possessor, of the firearms when Mr. Bray would, in fact, be the actual purchaser and actual possessor of the firearms. Bray also possessed fentanyl with intent to distribute on April 10, 2021.

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

The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives conducted the investigation leading to the conviction in this case.

PITTSBURGH, PA – Deyon Robinson pled guilty to possessing with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of a mixture containing fentanyl and heroin and 28 grams or more of cocaine base, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Robinson, age 22 of Southfield, Michigan, pled guilty before United States District Judge William S. Stickman. Stickman ordered sentencing to occur on October 4, 2023, at 1:30 p.m.

In support of the guilty plea, the Court was informed that, on April 26, 2021, Robinson got caught possessing with intent to distribute 150 grams of a mixture containing fentanyl and heroin and 70 grams of crack. He got caught as a result of a Pennsylvania State Police investigation and traffic stop in New Castle, Pennsylvania. Robinson also possessed a loaded Glock pistol and over $2,400 in cash at that time.

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

The Pennsylvania State Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation leading to the conviction in this case.

PITTSBURGH, PA – Omari Patton was sentenced to 63 months in federal prison for attempting to provide a prohibited object to a federal inmate and attempting to obtain a prohibited object by a federal inmate, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Patton, age 44 of Pittsburgh, was sentenced by United States District Judge William S. Stickman. Patton was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release following his prison sentence.

Patton was convicted at the conclusion of a jury trial in February 2023. As established at trial, Patton operated a scheme to distribute K2 paper into and inside federal prisons. The K2 paper was saturated with powerful Schedule I synthetic cannabinoid controlled substances. He was serving a federal prison sentence at the time for prior large-scale heroin and cocaine trafficking convictions. He recruited his son into the scheme, resulting in his son’s conviction as well.

Assistant United States Attorneys Rebecca L. Silinski and Craig W. Haller prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Internal Revenue Service, the federal Bureau of Prisons, and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General led the multi-agency investigation that also included the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Beaver County District Attorney’s Office, the Department of Homeland Security/Homeland Security Investigations, the Pittsburgh Police Department, the United States Marshals Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Munhall Police Department, the Robinson Township Police Department, the McKees Rocks Police Department, the Stowe Township Police Department, the Etna Police Department, and the Erie County District Attorney’s Office.

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 – Eugene Phillips was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for conspiring to distribute crack cocaine and to launder drug trafficking proceeds, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Phillips, age 31 of Farrell, Pennsylvania, was sentenced by United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon. Judge Bissoon also ordered Phillips to serve four years of supervised release after his prison sentence.

Between March and June 2021, Phillips was detained at the Mercer County Jail because of state crack cocaine trafficking charges. The charges were pending until April 27, 2021, when he was convicted and sentenced to serve 27-54 months in state prison. During that time period, both prior to and after his state conviction and sentence, Phillips kept trafficking crack cocaine from the Mercer County Jail.

Assistant United States Attorney 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 Ellwood City, PA, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of attempted production and production of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

David Bates, age 63, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan on June 12, 2023.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that in or between July 2020 and October 2020, Bates and another individual attempted to and did use, persuade, induce entice and coerce a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depictions of the minor engaged in such conduct.

Judge Ranjan scheduled sentencing for October 3, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. The law provides for a total sentence of not less than 15 years and not more than 30 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, Bates remains detained.

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

The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Bates.

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 Cleveland, OH, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Johnstown on a charge of violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

The one-count Indictment named Antoine Darnell Toodle, age 31, of Cleveland, OH, as the sole defendant.

According to the Indictment presented to the court, on or about June 29, 2022, Toodle possessed with intent to distribute and distributed 50 grams of methamphetamine, and a quantity of fentanyl and crack cocaine.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of life in prison, a fine of $10,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Michael L. Mitchell is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Pennsylvania State Police 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. – Eric G. Olshan was sworn in yesterday as the 60th United States Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania and began his duties immediately. Chief U.S. District Judge Mark R. Hornak administered the oath to Mr. Olshan, 42, of Pittsburgh.

“I have spent my entire career litigating on behalf of the United States, and I’m honored to continue that service in my new role,” said U.S. Attorney Olshan. “I look forward to working with the dedicated attorneys and staff in our office, as well as our trusted partners in federal, state, and local law enforcement, to pursue our shared goal of securing justice and protecting communities throughout the district.”

Prior to becoming United States Attorney, Mr. Olshan served as the Chief of the Economic/Cyber/National Security Crimes Section. He joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office as an Assistant United States Attorney in 2017, focusing primarily on white collar prosecution. During his time in the district, Mr. Olshan has served as the Civil Rights Coordinator, Public Corruption Coordinator, Health Care Fraud Coordinator, Environmental Crime Coordinator, and District Election Officer.

From 2007 to 2017, Mr. Olshan served in the Public Integrity Section of the Criminal Division of the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., first as a Trial Attorney from 2007 to 2013 and then as Deputy Chief from 2013 to 2017. Mr. Olshan entered the Department of Justice through the Attorney General’s Honors Program after serving as a law clerk for Judge Richard C. Tallman of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit from 2006 to 2007.

Mr. Olshan graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2003, where he earned a B.S. in physics with highest distinction. He received his J.D., cum laude, from Northwestern Pritzker School of Law in 2006.

Mr. Olshan was nominated by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. on March 21, 2023, and confirmed by the United States Senate on June 8, 2023. He will lead an office currently staffed with 115 Assistant U.S. Attorneys and support staff in offices in Pittsburgh, Erie, and Johnstown.

The Western District of Pennsylvania covers the 25 westernmost counties in the Commonwealth.

PITTSBURGH, PA- A former resident of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced in federal court to possession of child pornography, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Kevin Francisco Torres-Gerena, 29, of Waterbury, Connecticut was sentenced to four years imprisonment, and ten years supervised release before United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer.

The Court was advised that investigators identified Torres-Gerena on a peer-to-peer network where offenders, like Torres-Gerena, could access and share child sexual abuse material (commonly referred to as “child pornography”). The court was further informed that law enforcement officials executed a federal search warrant at Torres-Gerena’s residence on September 5, 2018, and later uncovered 116 videos, ranging from 1 minute and 10 seconds to 9 minutes and 37 seconds, and 36 images depicting the sexual exploitation of minors, many of which involved children under the age of twelve. Torres-Gerena informed investigators that he would view the images/videos and then delete them but use the same search terms in subsequent searches to conceal his activity.

Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca L. Silinski is prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

Homeland Security Investigations, with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigations San Antonio Field Office, the North Strabane Police Department and the Canonsburg Police Department, conducted the investigation leading to the prosecution of Torres-Gerena.

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.

A former resident of New Philadelphia, Ohio, has been sentenced in federal court to 70 months of imprisonment and 4 years of supervised release on his conviction of conspiring to distribute and distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

On June 9, 2023, United States District Judge Robert J. Colville imposed the sentence on Phillip Bonanno, 56, who is currently incarcerated at the Northeast Ohio Correctional Center.

According to information presented to the court, the Greater Pittsburgh Safe Streets Task Force, led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, conducted a long-term investigation, which included obtaining authorization for a federal wiretap, into drug-trafficking activity occurring in the Western District of Pennsylvania.

Bonanno (aka “Guido”, “Ohio Guido”) was a “fully-patched” member of the PMC, reportedly from 2020 until 2022, and a close associate of co-defendants Bill Rana, who is pending sentencing, and Eric Armes, who was also sentenced to 70 months’ imprisonment. Bonanno and his nephew, co-defendant Cody Bonanno, who was already sentenced, lived in Ohio and were identified as methamphetamine sources of supply for among others, Rana, Armes and co-defendant Dominic Quarture, pending sentencing.

Intercepted communications confirmed that Bonanno facilitated drug trafficking activity at a residence located in New Philadelphia, Ohio, where drug customers, including members of the conspiracy, traveled to conduct drug transactions with his nephew. Additionally, Bonanno and his nephew would travel to the Western District of Pennsylvania also for their drug-trafficking activity.

Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca L. Silinski prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

Acting United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Postal Inspection Service, Drug Enforcement Administration, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, Pennsylvania State Police, and Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General Bureau of Narcotics Investigations, for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Bonanno.

This sentencing was 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. 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. – Fifty-eight defendants have been charged with violating federal racketeering, narcotics, and firearm laws, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

The 30-count Indictment, returned on May 30, 2023, and unsealed today, charged the first 22 listed defendants with conspiring to participate in a criminal enterprise as members and associates of an Erie, Pennsylvania neighborhood street gang known as “4-Nation” under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). The Indictment named the following individuals as having conspired to participate in this criminal organization:

Davante Qualee Jones, 29
Dajean Dupree Williams, 28
Javar Beason, Jr., 26
Darian Allen Beasley, 31
John Ferrell Cooley, Jr., 27
Von Darnell McCallum, Jr., 26
Jaquon Lashawn Manning, 22
Marius Lavon Russell, 31
Jermaine Antwon Phillips, Jr., 27
Rayshawn Markel Woodard, 23
Michael Jarod Manning, 32
Dajour Raekwon Woodard, 24
Chikuyo Asania Bayete, 25
Raheem Tyre Farmer, 28
Kalen Allen Gambill, 36
Damon Deandre Grady, 25
Eric Martin Jells, Jr., 25
Levanta Davon Keim, 25
Tayvon Marquise Lindsey, 27
Dorrell Antwun McLaurin, 24
Tymeir Mekhi Sadique Oglesby, 24
Lamont Devail Warren, Jr., 25

According to information presented in the Indictment, these individuals engaged in organized criminal activity as part of their membership and association with the 4-Nation gang which included drug distribution and acts of violence within the Western District of Pennsylvania and elsewhere. According to the Indictment, one of the principal activities of the gang involves the sale and distribution of marijuana, prescription hydrocodone, cocaine, cocaine base, heroin, methamphetamine, fentanyl powder, and fentanyl pills within the gang’s geographic territory. 4-Nation members would obtain drugs from sources of supply primarily in California, Arizona, and Mexico and disseminate these drugs for redistribution by other gang members and associates. 4-Nation gang members possessed firearms and guarded their territory to prevent encroachment by rival gang members or drug dealers through assaults and shootings. The Indictment details more than 150,000 fentanyl pills, over 100 pounds of methamphetamine, and multiple kilograms of fentanyl and fentanyl analogue powder trafficked by the gang into Erie, Pennsylvania.

The RICO conspiracy statute carries a maximum penalty of up to life imprisonment and a fine of not more than $250,000.

The Indictment named all 58 charged individuals at Count Two as part of an overlapping drug distribution conspiracy including:

Antwon Donnell Arrington, 48
Jamonte Capriese Hollingsworth, 34
Stewart Lee Phillips, 46
Tyler Quinn Magee, 30
Chikuyo Isani Bayete, 28
Dajuwon Brown Faulkner, 20
Demari Naquan Euell, 24
Cordell Jamal Gregory, 30
Jadarious Devon Samuel Lofton, 22
Shikeal Marquese Page, 29
Antoun Depree Moore, Jr., 25
Stephen William Carter, 31
Rhashan Dunston, 28
Dazerion Jaquial Hinton, 24
Devon Devontae Blue, 21
Javarie Barnett, 24
Damond Wilson Carr, 31
Saint Martin Ellman, 26
William Todd Stephens, 32
Wessam Ali Abood, 30
Alexis Marie Althof, 28
Samantha Lynn Ermekeil, 26
David Leroy Hall, 47
Travis Blake Longley, 29
Tasha Nicole Pacley, 34
Anthony James Stufflebeam, 36
Kevin John Berdis, 28
Mackenzie Alaska Fike-Bliscik, 24
Joseph Michael Lazar, 59
Bethany Nicole Mallette, 27
Immanuel Rashad Smith, 28
Jaelyn Rachelle Kuczynski, 33
Gary A. Warren, III, 32
Henry Daniel Barker, 34
Jamond Carnell McDonald, 20
Dazjona Marique Goodwine, 31

According to the Indictment, these individuals conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute Schedule I and Schedule II controlled substances, including large quantities of fentanyl, a fentanyl analogue, methamphetamine, cocaine, and cocaine base, from at least August 2023 through the date of the Indictment, in the Western District of Pennsylvania and elsewhere. The statute calls for a maximum sentence of up to life imprisonment.

Dajour Woodard is charged at Count Three with attempted possession with intent to distribute four hundred (400) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl on or about August 9, 2021. The statute calls for a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years of incarceration.

Damond Carr is charged at Count Four with possession with intent to distribute forty (40) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl and at Count Five with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, both occurring on or about October 15, 2021. The statute at Count Four calls for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years incarceration. The statute at Count Five calls for a maximum sentence of twenty years of incarceration.

Jaquon Manning and Michael Manning are charged at Count Six with possession with intent to distribute one hundred (100) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl analogue, five hundred (500) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, and forty (40) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl on or about February 11, 2022. The statute calls for a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years of incarceration.

Dajean Williams is charged at Count Seven with possession with intent to distribute four hundred (400) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, one hundred (100) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl analogue, and a quantity of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine, and at Count Eight with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, both occurring on or about April 20, 2022. The statute at Count Seven calls for a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years of incarceration. The statute at Count Eight calls for a maximum sentence of twenty years of incarceration.

Javar Beason, Jr. is charged at Count Nine with interstate and foreign travel in aid of business enterprise involving narcotics or controlled substances from on or about June 26, 2022 and continuing to on or about June 28, 2022. The statute calls for a maximum sentence of five years of incarceration.

Jamonte Hollingsworth is charged at Count Ten with possession with intent to distribute and distribution of forty (40) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl on or about September 6, 2022. The statute calls for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years of incarceration.

Kalen Gambill is charged at Count Eleven with possession with intent to distribute and distribution of fifty (50) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine on or about September 7, 2022. The statute calls for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years of incarceration.

Javar Beason, Jr. is charged at Count Twelve with conducting a monetary transaction, affecting interstate commerce, in criminally derived property with a value greater than $10,000, which property was derived from specified unlawful activity on or about October 12, 2022. The statute calls for a maximum sentence of ten years of incarceration.

Tasha Pacley is charged at Count Thirteen with possession of firearms by a convicted felon on or about October 13, 2022. The statute calls for a maximum sentence of ten years of incarceration.

Javar Beason, Jr, Antwon Arrington, Jadarius Lofton, and Mackenzie Fike-Bliscik are charged at Count Fifteen with possession with intent to distribute and distribution of forty (40) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl on or about November 29, 2022. The statute calls for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years of incarceration.

Antwon Arrington is charged at Count Sixteen with maintaining a drug-involved premise from no later than in and around December 2022 through on or about January 14, 2022. The statute at Count Sixteen calls for a maximum sentence of twenty years of incarceration.

Antwon Arrington is also charged at Count Seventeen with possession with intent to distribute four hundred (400) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, five hundred (500) grams or more of a mixture containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, and five hundred (500) grams or more of a mixture containing a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine, and at Count Eighteen with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, both occurring on or about January 14, 2023. The statute at Count Seventeen calls for a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years of incarceration. The statute at Count Eighteen calls for a maximum sentence of ten years of incarceration.

Javar Beason, Jr. is charged at Count Nineteen with possession with intent to distribute five hundred (500) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, at Count Twenty with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and at Count Twenty-One with using and carrying a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, all occurring on or about January 14, 2023. The statute at Count Nineteen calls for a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years of incarceration. The statute at Count Twenty calls for a maximum sentence of ten years of incarceration. The statute at Count Twenty-One calls for a mandatory consecutive sentence of five years of incarceration.

Darian Beasley is charged at Count Twenty-Two with possession with intent to distribute five hundred (500) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine and a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine base in the form commonly known as crack, and at Count Twenty-Three with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, both occurring on or about January 14, 2023. The statute at Count Twenty-Two calls for a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years of incarceration. The statute at Count Twenty-Three calls for a maximum sentence of ten years of incarceration.

Jaquon Manning is charged at Count Twenty-Four with possession with intent to distribute four hundred (400) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl on or about January 31, 2023. The statute calls for a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years of incarceration.

Jaquon Manning and Joseph Lazar are charged at Count Twenty-Five with possession with intent to distribute and distribution of fifty (50) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine on or about February 2, 2023. The statute calls for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years of incarceration.

Jaquon Manning, Dajuwan Faulkner, and Samantha Ermekeil are charged at Count Twenty-Six with possession with intent to distribute and distribution of fifty (50) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine on or about February 22, 2023. The statute calls for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years of incarceration.

Jaquon Manning, Jaelyn Kuczynski, and Gary Warren are charged at Count Twenty-Seven with possession with intent to distribute and distribution of fifty (50) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine on or about March 2, 2023. The statute calls for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years of incarceration.

Jaquon Manning and Henry Barker are charged at Count Twenty-Eight with possession with intent to distribute and distribution of fifty (50) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine on or about March 10, 2023. The statute calls for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years of incarceration.

John Cooley, Jr. and Dazjona Goodwine are charged at Count Twenty-Nine with attempted possession with intent to distribute four hundred (400) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl on or about March 13, 2023. The statute calls for a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years of incarceration.

Stewart Phillips is charged at Count Thirty with possession with intent to distribute forty (40) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl on or about March 15, 2023. The statute calls for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years of incarceration.

“We are committed to disrupting the violence and destruction that gangs such as these inflict upon our communities,” said Acting U. S. Attorney Troy S. Rivetti. “The unified efforts of each of the agencies involved in this investigation is to be commended. This work and the continued efforts of the EAGLE Safe Streets Task Force is dedicated to restoring Erie residents’ rights to feel safe in their own neighborhoods.

“This gang brought violence and despair to our neighborhoods and pedaled drugs onto the streets, exploiting the young and vulnerable,” said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Mike Nordwall. “This investigation was a collaborative effort led by the FBI’s EAGLE Safe Streets Task Force and the community will see the impact immediately. I commend the work done by the investigative team and restate the commitment of the FBI and our partners to aggressively pursue those that bring harm to our communities.”

“Today’s announcement deals a major blow to a drug trafficking gang whose activities have inflicted irreparable harm and pain throughout our communities,” said William S. Walker, Special Agent in Charge of HSI Philadelphia. “Results like these are only achieved through partnerships and information sharing. There is no doubt that the Erie and its surrounding areas are safer today due to the outstanding teamwork of the dedicated law enforcement professionals who investigated and prosecuted this case. HSI will continue to prioritize investigations that prevent illicit and highly addictive opioids from being distributed in our neighborhoods.”

“The Pennsylvania State Police is proud of the hard work by our investigators that has resulted in getting dangerous narcotics and drug dealers off our streets. We’re thankful for the cooperation with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, and our communities are much safer for it.”

“Today, the Erie Police and its many local, state and federal partners continue working together on removing violent criminals and drug dealers,” said Daniel P. Spizarny, Sr., Chief of Police, City of Erie Police Department. “We are committed to making Erie a safer community with welcoming and vibrant 

Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

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

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.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Erie Resident Agency Erie Area Gang Law Enforcement (EAGLE) Safe Streets Task Force, which is comprised of investigators from the FBI, United States Customs and Border Patrol, Erie Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, Millcreek Police Department, Oil City Police Department, Franklin Police Department, and Erie School District Police Department, conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations; Internal Revenue Service; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives; Pennsylvania State Police Vice and Drug Law Units; Erie County Detectives; and Erie County District Attorney’s Office.

The investigation was also conducted in association with the Northwest Pennsylvania Drug Initiative which was formed following Erie County’s designation as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) in 2021. The HIDTA program was created by Congress in 1988 to coordinate and assist Federal, State, and Local law enforcement agencies in addressing regional drug threats with the purpose of reducing drug trafficking and drug production in the United States. The Northwest Pennsylvania Drug Initiative coordinates personnel and resources between multiple agencies including the Pennsylvania State Police, Federal Burau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, Erie Police Department, Erie County District Attorney’s Office, Erie County Detectives, United States Postal Inspection Service, the EAGLE Task Force, and other participating agencies.

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

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Butler, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 45 days imprisonment followed by one-year of supervised release and a $400,000 fine on his conviction of violating federal firearm laws, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

Chief United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak imposed the sentence on Grant Williams, age 61, of Butler, Pennsylvania.

According to information presented to the court, between the dates of March 10, 2021 and March 3, 2022; June 28, 2022 and January 13, 2022; March 6, 2020 and April 26, 2022; July 14, 2021 and October 21, 2021; and June 23, 2020 and January 31, 2022, Williams failed to make entry in a record as a federal firearms dealer.

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

Acting United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Williams.

PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Mercer, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of interstate threats and influencing or retaliating against a federal officer by threat, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

Adam Bies, age 47, pleaded guilty to fourteen counts before United States District Judge William S. Stickman IV.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Bies made threats to murder, injure, and assault agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the days following the FBI’s search of former President Donald Trump’s home in Florida on August 8, 2022, pursuant to a federal search warrant.

Sentencing in this matter has been scheduled for October 4, 2023. The law provides for a 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 offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, the court ordered that the defendant be detained.

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

The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Adam Bies.

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A former resident of Johnstown, PA, has been sentenced in federal court to a total of 60 months in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release on her conviction of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

Senior United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson imposed the sentence on Amber Lingafelt, age 40, of Johnstown, Pennsylvania.

According to information presented to the court, from on or about April 2019 to on or about July 2021, Lingafelt did conspire to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine base, in the form commonly known as crack, a quantity of heroin, and a quantity of fentanyl.

Assistant United States Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

Mr. Rivetti commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Laurel Highlands Resident Agency and Homeland Security Investigations for the investigation that led to the successful prosecution of Lingafelt. Additional agencies participating in this investigation include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the United States Postal Inspection Service, Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, Pennsylvania State Police, Cambria County District Attorney’s Office, Indiana County District Attorney’s Office, Cambria County Sheriff’s Office, Cambria Township Police Department, Indiana Borough Police Department, Johnstown Police Department, Upper Yoder Township Police Department, Richland Police Department, Ferndale Police Department and other local law enforcement agencies.

This prosecution is 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 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court in Pittsburgh to a drug trafficking offense, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

Fiordaliza Rodriguez Reyes, age 35, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute a quantity of heroin before Senior United States District Judge David S. Cercone.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on June 11, 2020, Rodriguez Reyes was arrested by troopers of the Pennsylvania State Police after she was stopped on Interstate 76 and a search of her vehicle resulted in the seizure of approximately 800 grams of heroin in the trunk. Rodriguez Reyes was transporting the heroin from New York City to Pittsburgh for further distribution.

Judge Cercone scheduled sentencing for October 10, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of not more than 20 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, the court permitted Rodriguez Reyes to remain on bond.

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

The Pennsylvania State Police and the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Rodriguez Reyes.

WASHINGTON – A Pennsylvania man was sentenced for a felony charge for his actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 Presidential election.

Jorden Robert Mink, 29, of Oakdale, Pennsylvania, was sentenced, on Jun 2, 2023, in the District of Columbia to 51 months in prison for assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers using a dangerous weapon, a felony, theft of government property, and aiding and abetting. In addition to the prison term U.S. District Court Judge Randolph D. Moss ordered 36 months of supervised release and restitution of $2,000.

According to court documents, on January 6, 2021, Mink used a baseball bat to shatter a window in the Capitol Building, entered the building through that broken window, and started removing property including chairs. He handed the property to individuals in the crowd on the exterior of the building. Other individuals can be seen handing out property such as a lamp and drawers through the same window after it was shattered by Mink. Mink was also seen striking an adjacent window repeatedly with a baseball bat, in an apparent attempt to shatter it.

In video surveillance, Mink is seen engaging in assaultive conduct, spitting at officers guarding one of the doors and then throwing several objects at them – including a traffic cone, a large rectangular-shaped object (possibly a step or drawer), and a stick. Mink then appears armed with a long pole, which he uses to violently and repeatedly strike at the officers at the entrance, hitting their shields at least five times. After a few minutes, in an apparent reaction to smoke or pepper spray, the crowd temporarily retreats backward 15 to 25 feet, allowing the officers to exit the lower west terrace area and respond to the protestors.

Mink was arrested on January 19, 2021, in McKees Rocks, PA.

This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Pittsburgh Field Office and the Washington Field Office, which identified Mink as #89 in its seeking information photos. Valuable assistance was provided by the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Capitol Police.

In the 28 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,000 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 320 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.

PITTSBURGH, PA - A former resident of New Kensington, PA, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of Conspiracy to Commit Fraud and Fraud in Connection with Emergency Benefits, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

Nathan Woods, 24, currently incarcerated in Allegheny County Jail pleaded guilty to 2 counts before Senior United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that from in and around June 2020, and continuing thereafter until in and around July 2020, in the Western District of Pennsylvania, Woods knowingly and willfully did conspire to commit fraud in connection with emergency benefits, more specifically, fraud related to pandemic unemployment benefits.

Following the guilty plea today, Judge Schwab sentenced Woods to time-served. He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $11,910 to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor, jointly and severally with conspirator Erick Woods.

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

The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Woods.

ERIE, Pa. - A resident of Johnsonburg, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 27 months in jail followed by 2 years of supervised release and order to pay restitution in the amount of $765,172.95 on her conviction of wire fraud, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

Senior United States District Judge David S. Cercone imposed the sentence on Melissa Bittler, 43, 112 Cushing Avenue, Johnsonburg, Pennsylvania.

According to information presented to the court, over a five-year period Bittler embezzled over $765,000 from the construction company in Johnsonburg where she was employed as the office manager and bookkeeper. Among numerous and consistent personal expenditures with stolen money, Bittler bought and renovated her house and purchased a Honda Pilot with the embezzled company money.

Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Cercone noted the enormity of the amount stolen by Bittler and the significant negative impact on the small business that was victimized.

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

Acting United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Johnsonburg Borough Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Bittler.

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Jeannette, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal firearms laws, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

Kenyetta Jones, 27, of Jeannette, PA pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge W. Scott Hardy.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on February 22, 2019, the defendant knowingly possessed a firearm and ammunition as a previously convicted felon. Federal law prohibits an individual who has been convicted of a felony from possessing a firearm or ammunition.

Judge Hardy scheduled sentencing for October 11, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than ten (10) years in prison, a fine of $250,000.00, and a term of supervised release of not more than 3 years. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, the court revoked the defendant’s bond and remanded him to the custody of the United States Marshals Service.

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

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.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, along with the Department of Homeland Security conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Kenyetta Jones.

ERIE, Pa. - A former resident of Erie, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of violating federal laws relating to the sexual exploitation of children, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

Charles Freemont Black, IV, 39, pleaded guilty to two counts before Senior United States District Judge David S. Cercone.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Black received and possessed computer images and movies 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.

Judge Cercone scheduled sentencing for October 16, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 30 years in prison, a fine of $500,000, 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, the Department of Homeland Security Investigations and the Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Black.

PITTSBURGH, PA – A resident of Waynesburg, PA, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating various narcotics laws, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

The two-count Indictment named Johnathan Fannon, age 32, Waynesburg, PA, as the sole defendant. Fannon was arrested on these federal charges last Thursday.

According to information presented to the Court, on or about November 4, 2021, Fannon attempted to possess with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance, and a quantity of heroin, a Schedule I controlled substance. The Indictment also charged Fannon with possession with intent to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl and more than 50 grams of methamphetamine, both Schedule II controlled substances.

The law provides for a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and up to a maximum sentence of forty years in prison, a fine of up to $5,000,000, and a term of supervised release of at least four years. If, however, the defendant has a prior conviction for a serious drug felony or a serious violent felony that is final, then the potential penalties include a term of imprisonment of not less than ten years to a maximum of life, a fine not to exceed $8,000,000, and a term of supervised release of at least eight years. 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 Nicole A. Stockey 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 - A former resident of Baden, Pennsylvania has been sentenced in federal court to a total term of 124 months’ imprisonment followed by lifetime supervised release on his conviction of possession of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor and for violating the terms of federal supervised release, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

Andrew Kincaid, age 35, formerly of Baden, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to one count before Chief United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak.

According to information presented to the court, on March 16, 2021, Kincaid knowingly possessed an electronic device containing child sexual abuse material, in violation of federal law and the conditions of Kincaid’s supervised release related to his 2010 federal conviction, also for possession of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor.

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

Homeland Security Investigations-Pittsburgh conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Kincaid.

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 Monessen, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced to 96 months’ imprisonment followed by 5 years’ supervised release on his conviction of receipt and possession of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

U.S. District Judge Nicholas Ranjan imposed the sentence on Robert Haggerty, age 63.

According to information presented to the court during the change of plea hearing, Robert Haggerty knowingly possessed more than 92 images and 8 videos containing child sex abuse material, some of which depicted sadistic and masochistic conduct and the sexual abuse of infants and toddlers. Haggerty also knowingly received three images containing child sexual abuse material from an individual identified in communications as a 16-year old minor female.

Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Ranjan stated that “there is no question that the conduct in this case was serious” and that the “images at issue were, as described, disturbing.” Judge Ranjan further noted that “there are real victims in these cases,” explaining that “the reality is these crimes, whether it is a receipt or possession, have a real impact on people.” In addition to the terms of incarceration and supervised release, Judge Ranjan ordered Haggerty to pay restitution to one victim in the amount of $3,500.

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

Acting United States Attorney Rivetti commended Homeland Security Investigations and other members of the Western Pennsylvania Violent Crimes Against Children Task Force for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Haggerty.

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 Jamestown, New York has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Erie on a charge of violating federal narcotics laws, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

The one-count Indictment named Andre Richards, 23, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment presented to the court, in or around March 2023, Richards possessed with the intent to distribute approximately 9.5 kilograms of methamphetamine.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of life in prison, a fine of $10,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

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

The Warren County Drug Task Force, the Warren County District Attorney’s Office, the Attorney General’s Office Bureau of Narcotics, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Drug Enforcement Administration 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.

Erie, Pa. - A former resident of Erie, Pennsylvania has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Erie on charges of violating federal narcotics laws, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

The three-count Indictment named Delvon Sanders, 33, as the sole defendant.

According to the Indictment presented to the court, Sanders sold a quantity of fentanyl that caused the death of J.B. on April 17, 2023. The Indictment also charges Sanders with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl on or about April 18, 2023 and possession of fifty grams or more of methamphetamine on that same date.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of life in prison, a fine of $7,000,000 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 Molly W. Anglin is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Millcreek Police Department, the Erie County Drug Task Force, the Erie County District Attorney’s Office, and the Drug Enforcement Administration 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.

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A former resident of Clearfield, PA, has been sentenced in federal court to a total of 120 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release on his conviction of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

Senior United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson imposed the sentence on Andrew Knepp, age 45, of Clearfield, Pennsylvania.

According to information presented to the court, from July 2019 to June 2020, Knepp did conspire to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.

Assistant United States Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

Mr. Rivetti commended the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Pennsylvania State Police for the investigation that led to the successful prosecution of Knepp. Additional agencies participating in this investigation include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the United States Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, Clearfield County District Attorney’s Office, Erie County District Attorney’s Office, Millcreek Police Department, Erie Bureau of Police, and other local law enforcement agencies.

This prosecution is 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 Bradford, Pennsylvania has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Erie on a charge of theft of mail, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

The one-count Indictment named Patrick James Ryan, 45, 80 Boylston Street, Apt. 10, Bradford, Pennsylvania 16701, as the sole defendant.

According to the Indictment presented to the court, from in and around October 2022 to in and around January 2023, Ryan stole five $20.00 Walmart gift cards and a $75.00 Old Navy gift card from the mail.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of five years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Molly W. Anglin 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 Michigan pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of mail fraud and identity theft, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

Milton Barth Reed, age 32, pleaded guilty to two counts before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon on May 26, 2023.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that, in September 2020, Reed was located in Pittsburgh, PA, in possession of a notebook containing the personally identifying information of twenty-four individuals. Each of these identities had been used to file a fraudulent application for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. While in Pittsburgh, Reed had attempted to pick up two fraudulently issued PUA debit cards that were supposed to be delivered by commercial carrier to an address near Ben Avon.

Sentencing in this matter has been scheduled for October 3, 2023. The law provides for a total sentence of 22 years in prison, a fine of $500,000, 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 ordered that the defendant be detained.

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

The Department of Homeland Security/Homeland Security Investigations, United States Postal Inspection Service, and United States Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Milton Barth Reed.

ERIE, Pa. - A former resident of Erie, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of violating federal firearms laws, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

Dustin Robert Patterson, 30, pleaded guilty to both counts before United States District Judge Susan Paradise Baxter.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that in and around February 2022, Patterson possessed a firearm while being a convicted felon. Federal law prohibits an individual who has been convicted of a felony from possessing a firearm. In addition, the firearm was possessed while Patterson was subject to a Protection From Abuse order.

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.

Judge Baxter scheduled sentencing for September 19, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $500,000, 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 United States Marshal’s Service conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Patterson.

PITTSBURGH, PA - One resident of Pittsburgh, PA, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of computer fraud, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

The two-count Indictment named Kevin N. Ukaegbu, age 30, of Pittsburgh, PA, as the sole defendant.

According to the Indictment, on December 5, 2022, Ukaegbu, formerly a graduate nurse at Allegheny General Hospital (AGH), criminally used the hospital credentials of a Highmark resident physician and attempted to modify prescription medications for two patients, putting one of the patients at risk of serious bodily harm. In neither case was the medicine administered to the patients.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 30 years in prison, a fine of $500,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

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

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), United States Department of Homeland Security, with the assistance of Highmark Health Police, conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.

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

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Bethel Park, PA, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of transporting an illegal alien within the United States, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

The one-count Indictment named Blake Thomas Babin, 59, of Bethel Park, PA, as the sole defendant.

According to the Indictment presented to the Court, Babin, from on or about October 20, 2022, through on or about December 30, 2022, transported and attempted to transport within the United States an alien who had illegally entered the country, knowing that the alien was illegally in the country and to assist the alien in remaining in the United States illegally.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 5 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

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

The Federal Bureau of Investigation in Pittsburgh 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.

WASHINGTON – A Pennsylvania man was sentenced today in the District of Columbia for assaulting law enforcement officers and other charges for his actions on Jan. 6, 2021. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the presidential election.

Robert Morss, (29), of Glenshaw, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 66 months in prison for assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers with a dangerous weapon, obstruction of an official proceeding, and robbery. Morss was convicted on August 23, 2022, following a stipulated trial before U.S. District Court Judge Trevor N. McFadden, who also ordered 24 months of supervised release and restitution of $2000.

Morss was charged along with 8 other co-defendants. Six of the codefendants, including Morss, have now been sentenced for their roles in the riot, while three codefendants are scheduled for trial later in 2023.

According to court documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, all of the codefendants illegally entered the Capitol grounds. They joined in the violence that occurred in the tunnel area of the Capitol’s Lower West Terrace. From approximately 2:40 p.m., law enforcement officers maintained a line at the second set of glass doors inside the tunnel leading from the inaugural platform to the entrance to the Capitol. These officers fought a group of rioters – including the defendants - inside the tunnel, protecting the doors, until approximately 3:19 p.m. when they cleared them from the tunnel. Clashes continued throughout the afternoon.

Morss joined the crowd gathering on the West Front of the Capitol grounds at approximately 2 p.m. He was wearing a vest with body armor plates and had a black knife sheath and scissors. Morss moved to the front of the line of rioters squaring off with law enforcement officers. He then attempted to steal a police-issued baton from an officer with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). He also removed a bike rack fence from the immediate control of an MPD sergeant, leaving no barrier between the police officers and rioters. He yelled out to several officers, “Take a look around. We are going to take our Capitol back.”

Morss then joined a line of rioters that pushed officers back and followed them up to the Lower West Terrace. At approximately 3:03 p.m., he participated in a heave-ho motion in which the rioters rocked against the police line. He wrested a riot shield from an MPD detective and passed it back in the tunnel, towards other rioters. He and others then created a wall of shields that they used to continue with the heave-ho efforts. Morss later joined several other rioters in climbing through a broken window. Morss entered an office within the Capitol, took a chair, and passed it out of the broken window to the rioters outside.

Morss was arrested on June 11, 2021.

This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Western District of Pennsylvania, the Eastern District of Texas, and the Eastern District of Virginia. 

The cases were investigated by the FBI’s Washington, Pittsburgh, and Dallas Field Offices. Morss was identified as #147 on the FBI Washington Field Office’s seeking information photos. Valuable assistance was provided by the FBI’s Richmond Field Office, the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Capitol Police.

In the 28 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,000 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 320 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.

PITTSBURGH - After deliberating thirty-five minutes, a federal jury of six men and six women found James Taric Byrd guilty of one count of possession of contraband in prison, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

Byrd, age 46, was tried before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

According to Assistant United States Attorney Brendan T. Conway, who prosecuted the case, the evidence presented at trial established that Byrd, while an inmate at the Allegheny County Jail, possessed a cellular telephone, which is a prohibited object inside the Allegheny County Jail.

Judge Bissoon scheduled sentencing for May 30, 2023 The law provides for a total sentence of one years in prison, a fine of $100,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based on the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

The Allegheny County Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Marshal Service conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Byrd.

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A former resident of Johnstown, PA, has been sentenced in federal court to a total of 60 months in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release on his conviction of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

Senior United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson imposed the sentence on Darren Alston, age 31, of Johnstown, Pennsylvania.

According to information presented to the court, from on or about April 2019, to on or about July 2021, Alston did conspire to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine base, in the form commonly known as crack, a quantity of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of heroin, and a quantity of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.

Assistant United States Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

Mr. Rivetti commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Laurel Highlands Resident Agency and Homeland Security Investigations for the investigation that led to the successful prosecution of Alston. Additional agencies participating in this investigation include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the United States Postal Inspection Service, Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, Pennsylvania State Police, Cambria County District Attorney’s Office, Indiana County District Attorney’s Office, Cambria County Sheriff’s Office, Cambria Township Police Department, Indiana Borough Police Department, Johnstown Police Department, Upper Yoder Township Police Department, Richland Police Department, Ferndale Police Department and other local law enforcement agencies.

This prosecution is 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.