Western District of Pennsylvania

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Pittsburgh, PA has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

The one-count Indictment named Arthur Lee Davis, III, 34, as the sole defendant.

According to the Indictment, on January 20, 2021, Davis, a previously convicted felon, knowingly possessed a firearm and ammunition.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000.00, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin J. Risacher is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The ATF and 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 - A resident of Homestead, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of violating federal narcotics and firearms laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

The 2-count Indictment named Rodric Sorrell, age 42, as the sole defendant.

According to the Indictment, Sorrell was charged with attempting to possess with the intent to distribute a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine. The Indictment further alleged that Sorrell possessed a firearm despite being prohibited from owning a firearm.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 20 years in prison, a fine not to exceed $1,000,000.00, a term of supervised release of at least three years, 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 defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin J. Risacher is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The United States Postal Inspector 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 Greene County, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of cyberstalking and interstate threats, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

The ten-count Indictment named Kaleb Levicky, 23, formerly of Carmichaels, PA 15230, as the sole defendant.

According to the Indictment, Levicky is charged with cyberstalking from in around November 3, 2020, to in and around November 30, 2020. Levicky is also charged with the interstate communications of threats to injure on November 24, 2020, November 30, 2020, December 13, 2020 and December 14, 2020.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than five years in prison, a fine of not more than $250,000 or both, at each count. 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. Levicky is currently detained pursuant to this matter.

Assistant United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Freeland Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police, Indiana University of Pennsylvania Police, Cumberland Township Police Department, and Arizona State University 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 Point Marion, PA, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of kidnapping, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

The one-count Indictment named Kristopher Holmes, currently at Fayette County Jail, in Uniontown, PA, as the sole defendant.

According to the Indictment, on or about August 30, 2020, Holmes unlawfully abducted his intimate partner and willfully transported her from West Virginia to Pennsylvania.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of life in prison, a fine of not more than $250,000.00 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 Nicole Vasquez Schmitt, the office’s Domestic Violence Prevention Coordinator, is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

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. - A resident of Braddock, PA, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal firearms and narcotics laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

The three-count Indictment named Deshaun Curtis Jones, age 29, as the sole defendant.

According to the Indictment, on January 20, 2021, Jones possessed fentanyl with intent to distribute, possessed a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possessed a firearm as a convicted felon.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of life in prison, a fine of $1,500,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Doug Maloney is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The FBI and the North Huntingdon Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.

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

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Canonsburg, PA, has been sentenced in federal court to 42 months’ imprisonment on his conviction of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute crack cocaine, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Senior United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab imposed the sentence on Antoine Dean, Jr., age 31. 

According to information presented to the court, in 2017, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration initiated a wiretap investigation, primarily targeting the GBK street gang and drug trafficking in and around an area known as the Greenway Projects, located in the West End of the City of Pittsburgh. The wiretap investigation revealed that from in and around November 2017 through in and around June 2018, Antoine Dean, Jr. conspired to distribute over 28 grams of crack cocaine.

Prior to imposing sentence, Senior Judge Schwab stated that the sentence was sufficient but not greater than necessary to achieve the goals of sentencing.

Assistant United States Attorneys Tonya Sulia Goodman and Yvonne M. Saadi prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

United States Attorney Brady commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration jointly with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, Pennsylvania State Police, Robinson Township Police Department, Stowe Township Police Department, Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, Wilkinsburg Borough Police Department, and the McKees Rocks Police Department, for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Dean, Jr.

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 Butler, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of wire fraud related to his theft of corporate funds from his former employer, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Paul Harmon, 63, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge Nicholas Ranjan.

During his plea hearing, Harmon admitted that for over 40 years he was the corporate controller for Butler-based Fuellgraf Electric Company, and an affiliated company, Technical Management Associates (collectively, "Fuellgraf"), which supplied electricians and related services to a variety of industrial and commercial business customers located primarily in Pennsylvania and Florida. As controller, Harmon admitted that he exercised day-to-day responsibility for and control over Fuellgraf’s finance, accounting, and treasury functions. He also maintained check-writing authority for Fuellgraf’s business bank accounts and control of Fuellgraf’s internal books and records.

Between at least October 2009 and his termination in December 2018, Harmon admitted that he misappropriated approximately $1.5 million in Fuellgraf funds and concealed his theft through manipulation of Fuellgraf’s books and records. As part of Harmon’s scheme to defraud Fuellgraf, he admitted stealing funds in a variety of ways, including by: causing the company to issue over $470,000 in duplicate or inflated payroll disbursements to Harmon, initiating electronic payments toward his personal credit card balances totaling approximately $500,000, issuing approximately $10,000 in corporate checks to pay his personal credit card balances, issuing almost $80,000 in corporate checks to himself, and misappropriating $200,000 in corporate checks written to cash. In addition, Harmon admitted that he issued Fuellgraf corporate checks to an entity he controlled, PM Accounting, totaling more than $200,000, for purported accounting work performed on behalf of Fuellgraf, when, in fact, no such work occurred. Harmon concealed his misappropriation by creating hundreds of false entries in Fuellgraf’s books and records that masked the true nature and purpose of the expenditures.

As part of a written plea agreement, Harmon agreed to make restitution to Fuellgraf in the amount of $1,466,456.71.

Harmon faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of not more than the greater of (i) $250,000 or (ii) an alternative fine in an amount not more than the greater of twice the gross pecuniary gain to any person or twice the pecuniary loss to any person. 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 Eric G. Olshan is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the charge in this case.

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Homestead, PA, has been sentenced in federal court to 12 years of incarceration and 6 years of supervised release on his conviction of possession with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Chief United States District Judge Mark A. Hornak imposed the sentence on Clayton Murphy, age 45, of Homestead, Pennsylvania.

According to information presented to the court, Murphy distributed and possessed with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl on three separate occasions. On one occasion, the individual who received narcotics supplied by Murphy overdosed and died. On another occasion, another individual who received narcotics from Murphy overdosed, but was revived by Narcan.

Prior to imposing sentence, Chief Judge Hornak stated that the sentence, which the parties had agreed was appropriate, was reasonable in light of the significant consequences of the Murphy’s conduct, as well Murphy’s willingness to accept responsibility for his actions and their consequences.

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

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

PITTSBURGH – Harold Novick pled guilty to conspiring to distribute cocaine between 2017 and 2019, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Novick, age 40, formerly a resident of Beaver County, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan. Judge Ranjan scheduled sentencing to occur on May 24, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. Novick was on state parole for a prior cocaine-trafficking conviction when he committed the additional drug-trafficking crime to which he pled guilty.

The law provides for a sentence of up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $2,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is to be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Craig W. Haller is prosecuting 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 - A resident of suburban Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to five years' imprisonment and eight years' supervised release on his conviction of narcotics trafficking, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Senior United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab imposed the sentence on Chadlin Leavy, 32.

According to information presented to the Court, the Greater Pittsburgh Safe Streets Task Force conducted a long-term investigation of drug trafficking occurring in and around the Braddock borough of Pittsburgh and identified several members and associates of a neighborhood-based street gang, self-titled "SCO" that were responsible for distributing controlled substances in Western Pennsylvania, including a defendant charged in a related case, Howard McFadden.

In January of 2019, investigators obtained authorization to conduct a federal wire investigation, which continued through May of 2019. Through the course of this investigation, the Court was informed that Leavy was identified as one of McFadden’s heroin and cocaine sources of supply. In April of 2019, law enforcement began intercepting communications over one of Leavy’s cell phones, which revealed that Leavy was conspiring with others, including co-defendants Marvin Porter, Larry Dandridge, Damien Franklin and Jared Eck, to possess with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine and marijuana in the Western District of Pennsylvania. Within that timeframe, Leavy conspired to distribute and distributed 585 grams of heroin, 1,526 grams of cocaine and 53 kilograms of marijuana.

The Court was advised that on several occasions, in March, April and May of 2019, law enforcement conducted surveillance in conjunction with intercepted communications and observed Leavy meeting with one of his co-conspirators to facilitate drug transactions. For example, on one occasion, the Court was informed that law enforcement stopped Leavy while he was in route to meet with his marijuana source of supply, Jared Eck, to purchase 25-30 pounds of marijuana from Eck for $30,000. Law enforcement located the $30,000 in the vehicle and seized it.

Additionally, the Court was advised that on June 12, 2019, law enforcement seized from Leavy’s residence a 2008 Mercedes Benz S550, $42,882, two pistols, one revolver and one Mossberg 500 shotgun, as well as related magazines and over 200 rounds of ammunition, high-end

jewelry, as well as several items used to facilitate his drug-trafficking activity.

In addition to the term of imprisonment and supervised release, the Court ordered the forfeiture of all of these items, including the $72,882.

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

United States Attorney Brady commended the multi-agency team, which was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Wolford. Partners in this investigation included the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, Allegheny County Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office Bureau of Narcotics, and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. Other assisting agencies included the Monroeville Police Department, Penn Hills Police Department, Wilkinsburg Police Department, and Allegheny County Adult Probation.

The investigation was funded by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.

PITTSBURGH, PA - A former resident of McKeesport, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 5 years and 1 day of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release on his conviction of narcotics trafficking and possession of a firearm in furtherance of his narcotics trafficking, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Senior United States District Judge Joy Flowers Conti imposed the sentence on Jared Ogrosky, age 23. 

According to information presented to the Court, on May 10, 2019, law enforcement executed a federal search warrant at Ogrosky’s residence and located nine bricks of heroin in a closet outside of Ogrosky’s bedroom, which the defendant told law enforcement he threw in the closet when he heard police outside of his residence. Law enforcement also located a Glock model 19x, 9 mm handgun, with a round of ammunition chambered, in his bedroom closet, as well as a 50 round, 9 mm drum style magazine. In conjunction with his guilty plea, Ogrosky admitted that he possessed the firearm in furtherance of the drug trafficking crime.

Additionally, the Court was informed that Ogrosky also accepted responsibility for additional violations of federal law. Namely, that in conjunction with each purchase of a firearm on November 30, 2018, December 28, 2018, December 29, 2018, January 6, 2019, and February 19, 2019, Ogrosky made false statements on the ATF Form 4473s. Specifically, Ogrosky indicated on the forms that he was not an unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana or any narcotic drug when in fact he was a marijuana and Percocet user, which under federal law prohibited him from purchasing and possessing a firearm.

As a term of Ogrosky’s supervised release, the Court instructed the admitted "Gwalla" gang member that he is prohibited from interacting with any member of a street gang while on supervised release. The Court also ordered the forfeiture of the Glock, 50 round magazine, all ammunition and $860.00.

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

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

PITTSBURGH – Scott W. Brady, United States Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania, issued the following statement today:

"The U.S. Attorney’s Office is working closely with the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia to identify those residents of western Pennsylvania who violated federal law in our nation’s Capitol on January 6. The charges announced today against Jorden Mink and Matthew Perna are the result of this collaboration. Together with our federal, state and local partners, we will ensure that our community is safe from those who would incite or commit further violent acts. Such criminal activity will be met with swift justice."

PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Bugler, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of conspiracy to using or maintaining a drug involved premises, and money laundering, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Stephen K. Shaner, 71, pleaded guilty to two counts before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that between May 2012 and April 2018, Shaner was using or maintaining a drug-involved premises, and money laundering in order to conceal the proceeds of a criminal offense. Shaner operated a suboxone clinic called SKS, located in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Suboxone is a Schedule III drug, used to treat opioid dependence. Shaner employed four physicians at SKS, who prescribed suboxone without physically examining the patients or engaging in any type of medical practice. On numerous occasions, individuals employed by Shaner but who lacked any formal or licensed medical training, completed the pre-signed prescriptions. Shaner laundered proceeds from the clinic by withdrawing them from the clinic’s bank account and depositing them into his personal account.

Judge Bissoon scheduled sentencing for May 11, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of not more than 20 years in prison, a fine of $500,000, or both. As part of the plea, the defendant agreed to a forfeiture of $1,750,000 in illegal proceeds. 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 Attorneys Robert S. Cessar and Michael L. Ivory are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Western Pennsylvania Opioid Fraud and Abuse Detection Unit, which combines personnel and resources from the following agencies to combat the growing prescription opioid epidemic: Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General, Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General - Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, United States Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Attorney’s Office – Criminal Division, Civil Division and Asset Forfeiture Unit, Department of Veterans Affairs-Office of Inspector General, Food and Drug Administration-Office of Criminal Investigations and the Pennsylvania Bureau of Licensing, conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Shaner.

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Pittsburgh, PA, has been sentenced in federal court to six years’ (72 months’) imprisonment on his conviction of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and a fentanyl analogue, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

United States District Judge David S. Cercone imposed the sentence on William Lewis, age 31.

According to information presented to the court, on August 5, 2017, officers with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police executed a search warrant at the defendant’s residence in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh. Inside of the home, officers found a 56 grams of cyclopropyl fentanyl, an analogue of fentanyl, 225 stamp bags of packaged cyclopropyl fentanyl, stamped "Ferrari," and 19 stamp bags of fentanyl, along with drug packaging materials.

Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Cercone stated that the sentence was sufficient but not greater than necessary to achieve the goals of sentencing.

Assistant United States Attorney Tonya Sulia Goodman prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

United States Attorney Brady commended the Department of Homeland Security Investigations, the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Lewis.

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Portersville, PA, has been sentenced in federal court to time served followed by three years’ supervised release on his convictions of conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine, conspiracy to distribute heroin, and conspiracy to distribute cocaine, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Senior United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab imposed the sentence on Ray Chrzanowski, age 53.

According to information presented to the court, in 2017, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration initiated a wiretap investigation, primarily targeting the GBK street gang and drug trafficking in and around an area known as the Greenway Projects, located in the West End of the City of Pittsburgh. The wiretap investigation revealed that from in and around November 2017 through in and around June 2018, Ray Chrzanowski conspired to distribute quantities of crack cocaine, heroin, and cocaine.

Prior to imposing sentence, Senior Judge Schwab stated that the sentence was sufficient but not greater than necessary to achieve the goals of sentencing.

Assistant United States Attorneys Tonya Sulia Goodman and Yvonne M. Saadi prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

United States Attorney Brady commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration jointly with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, Pennsylvania State Police, Robinson Township Police Department, Stowe Township Police Department, Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, Wilkinsburg Borough Police Department, and the McKees Rocks Police Department, for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Chrzanowski.

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 - A former resident of Washington County, PA, has been sentenced in federal court to 112 months of imprisonment on his convictions for violating the federal narcotics and firearms laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Senior United States District Judge David Cercone imposed the sentence on Matthew Curtis McCombs, 34, formerly of the City of Washington, Washington County, PA.

According to information presented to the court, in November 2019, Mr. McCombs pleaded guilty to three counts of unlawfully possessing firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon, and one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute heroin. In connection with the plea, Mr. McCombs admitted that on each of June 14, 2016, September 18, 2016, and September 27, 2016, while in the Western District of Pennsylvania, he unlawfully possessed a firearm and ammunition. Moreover, Mr. McCombs admitted that on April 9, 2014, he unlawfully distributed a quantity of heroin, a Schedule I controlled substance. Federal law prohibits convicted felons from possessing a firearm or ammunition.

In addition to the 112-month term of incarceration, Senior Judge Cercone imposed a three-year term of supervised release upon Mr. McCombs’ release from incarceration.

Assistant United States Attorney Jerome A. Moschetta prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

United States Attorney Brady commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Pennsylvania State Police, the Monroeville Police Department, and the Washington County District Attorney’s Office for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Mr. McCombs.

PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA), headquartered in downtown Pittsburgh, has pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of violating the Clean Water Act, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

PWSA pleaded guilty to one count of violating its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit (the NPDES Permit) by discharging sludge into the Allegheny River and to one count of making false statements in written reports about the amount of sludge it was sending to a waste treatment facility before Judge William S. Stickman, IV. Under the terms of the plea agreement, PWSA will agree to adhere to the terms of a comprehensive environmental compliance program.

According to information presented to the Court, PWSA violated its NPDES permit when employees at the Aspinwall Drinking Water Treatment Plant discharged sludge generated during the drinking water treatment process into the Allegheny River. During this process various chemicals are added to water drawn from Allegheny River. These chemicals cause small particles suspended in the water to clump together. Afterwards, the partially treated water was pumped to two large sedimentation basins. The water was transferred back to the Aspinwall Plant where it was subjected to a clarification process. This took place in a facility known as the Clarifier Building, which contains four large concrete basins known as clarifiers. The addition of chemicals to the water promoted the generation of additional clumps of solids which settled on the bottom of each clarifier and were pumped to a large concrete structure located near the banks of the Allegheny River. The solids were referred to as sludge and the large concrete pit was referred to as "the sludge pit," "the ALCOSAN pit," or "FM-5." FM-5 had pipes that led to the Allegheny River and sewer line.

Under the terms of its NPDES Permit, PWSA was only permitted to discharge storm runoff water and water referred to as "clarifier blowdown" into the river. PWSA was not permitted to discharge clarifier sludge into the Allegheny River.

Instead, between 2010 and May 2017, PWSA employees and supervisors at the Aspinwall Plant diverted and discharged sludge into the Allegheny River. By using electronic or manual controls at FM-5, the employees caused the sludge to flow from FM-5 to a discharge point known as Outfall 012 and then into the Allegheny River.

At various points, plumes of discolored water, some of which were several hundred feet long, and solids were visible in the river. Over time, the sludge discharge resulted in a buildup of solids. Employees at the Aspinwall Plant referred to the buildup as an island. Birds were also observed walking on the island when the river levels were low. The river’s current dissipated the island over time, but the island would reappear when new discharges occurred.

PWSA had also been issued a Clean Water Industrial User Permit. Under the terms of this permit, PWSA was permitted to ship a million of gallons of sludge per day to ALCOSAN’s waste treatment facility. The permit required PWSA to determine the daily amount of sludge with flow meters. PWSA installed flow meters at FM-5 and at the clarifier basins. The readings from the meters had to be included in bi-annual reports PWSA was required to submit under the penalties of perjury to ALCOSAN.

The flow meters at two of the clarifier basins broke in or around late December 2014 or early January 2015. The meter at FM-5 also broke and was inactive by early 2016. As a result, PWSA supervisors at the plant instructed the plant’s operators to estimate the amount of sludge flowing from the clarifier basins to FM-5 and from there to the ALCOSAN facility. These estimates were included the reports sent to ALCOSAN. These reports also represented that PWSA’s employees periodically checked the calibration of the sludge flow meters to ensure they were within factory limits. Each report was signed by a PWSA representative as being "true, accurate, and complete."

In July 2019, PWSA’s management obtained approval from PWSA’s Board of Directors for funds in "the amount of $47,852.71 to furnish and install four new flow meters for the sludge valves associated with each of the four clarifiers at the Aspinwall Water Treatment Plant." On January 15, 2020, investigators from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), an attorney from the United States Attorney’s Office, and an attorney from EPA, Criminal Investigations were at the Aspinwall Plant to interview employees and tour the facility. Part of the tour included a walk through the Clarifier Building and past the meters. No mention as to the inoperability of the meters was made. The following day, two of PWSA’s employees of informed the investigators and the prosecutors that the meters were broken and had been for years. In February 2020, PWSA replaced the sludge flow meters, more than five years after they broke.

Under the terms of the plea agreement PWSA will be placed on probation for a period of 3 years. In lieu of a fine, PWSA will be required to pay $500,000 into a self-funded Compliance Fund. Under the terms of the plea agreement, PWSA is not permitted to include the fund’s cost in any rate proposal to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. The fund will be used to pay for a comprehensive environmental compliance program to which PWSA must adhere. This program will be subject to the approval of the United States Attorney’s Office and will focus on the production of drinking water; PWSA’s compliance with it NPDES and Industrial User Permits; and the proper storage of chemicals at the plant. The United States Attorney’s Office and the EPA have the right to monitor the plan during PWSA’s probation. PWSA will also be required to provide annual environmental audits to the United States Attorney’s Office and the EPA. These audits will also be available on the Authority’s website for the public’s benefit. PWSA will also be required to install an Environmental Compliance Manager at the Aspinwall Plant. This individual will be authorized to receive complaints and conduct investigations concerning environmental issues occurring at the plant. PWSA is also required to ensure that its employees can report environmental violations without fear of retaliation or retribution.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 18, 2021 at 10:30 am.

Assistant United States Attorney Michael Leo Ivory and Martin Harrell, an attorney with the Environmental Protection Agency, Criminal Enforcement, are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Environmental Protection Agency conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority.

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 2 years’ probation on her conviction of narcotics trafficking in connection with a large-scale investigation conducted by the Greater Pittsburgh Safe Streets Task Force, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

United States District Judge William S. Stickman, IV, imposed the sentence on Ronika Somerville, age 24, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

According to information presented to the court, Somerville pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl before United States District Judge William S. Stickman IV. The defendant acknowledged her responsibility for the distribution of 6 grams of a mixture of heroin and fentanyl. Ms. Somerville was one of 40 defendants charged in the case.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that in 2017, the Greater Pittsburgh Safe Streets Task Force, led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, initiated an investigation primarily targeting the Darccide/Smash 44, or DS44, neighborhood gang, and drug-trafficking activity in and around the South Side area of Pittsburgh. As part of this large-scale narcotics and firearms investigation, the United States received authorization to conduct a federal wire investigation, which continued through June of 2019. Intercepted communications revealed that Ronika Somerville was involved in the distribution of heroin and fentanyl. Specifically, Ms. Somerville conducted narcotics transactions on behalf of her brother and codefendant, Ronald Williams, by obtaining the drugs from stash locations and physically distributing heroin and fentanyl to customers.

Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Stickman stated that given Somerville’s minimal participation in the drug trafficking conspiracy and her lack of any criminal history, a sentence of probation served as just punishment and sufficient deterrence.

Assistant United States Attorneys Carolyn J. Bloch and Brendan J. McKenna prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the multi-agency investigation of this case, which also included the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, Allegheny County Adult Probation, Allegheny County Police Department, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office Bureau of Narcotics, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, and the Wilkinsburg Police Department. Other assisting agencies include the Green Tree Police Department, New York City Police Department, Mount Oliver Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police, Yonkers Police Department, United States MarshalsFugitive Task Force, and the United States Postal Inspection Service.

The investigation was funded by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task ForceProgram (OCDETF). The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination thatallows federal and state agencies to work togetherto successfully identify, investigate, and prosecutemajor interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of production of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Jeffrey Porch, 34, pleaded guilty to one count before Senior United States District Judge Donetta W. Ambrose.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that over the course of approximately two years, Porch physically and sexually abused two minors. During this period, Porch produced pornographic photos of the children. Two photos of the older child were produced on May 9, 2017, when the child was 12 years old. Two photos of the younger child were produced on April 29, 2017, when the child was 11 years old. The photos were discovered on Porch’s Samsung smart phone.

Judge Ambrose scheduled sentencing for May 11, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of at least 15 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 Porch remained detained.

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

The Western Pennsylvania Violent Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Porch.

PITTSBURGH, PA - Landlords and tenants in the Western District of Pennsylvania are advised that the federal order issued by the Centers for Disease Control ("CDC") temporarily halting residential evictions of covered persons for nonpayment of rent has been extended to January 31, 2021, U.S. Attorney Scott Brady announced.

On December 27, 2020, the President signed into law the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. That Act extends the expiration date of the CDC Order titled, "Temporary Halt in Residential Evictions to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19" ("CDC Order") through January 31, 2021. That Order provides that a landlord cannot evict any covered person from a residential property for nonpayment of rent between September 4, 2020 and January 31, 2021. In some circumstances, a landlord violating the CDC’s Order may be subject to a $500,000 fine and up to one year in prison.

"Renters in our district who have suffered a substantial loss of household income due to the COVID-19 pandemic are protected from immediate eviction by the CDC Order. While many landlords are working with struggling tenants who are unable to pay rent, others are evicting their tenants for nonpayment of rent during the moratorium period in violation of the CDC Order," stated U.S. Attorney Brady. "These types of violations of federal law will not be tolerated."

U.S. Attorney Brady encourages anyone who has knowledge of a landlord violating the CDC Order to contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania by calling (866) C19-WDPA, that is (866) 219-9372,or emailing usapaw.covid19@usdoj.gov.

PITTSBURGH, PA - A former resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania has been sentenced in federal court on convictions of narcotics trafficking, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Senior United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab imposed the sentence of five years of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, on Marcell Sewell, 60, of Rankin, PA.

According to information presented to the Court, the Greater Pittsburgh Safe Streets Task Force conducted a long-term investigation of drug trafficking occurring in and around the Braddock section of Pittsburgh. Law enforcement identified several individuals who were illegally distributing controlled substances in the Greater Pittsburgh Region, as members of a neighborhood-based street gang, self-titled "SCO" and whose leader was identified as Howard McFadden.

In January of 2019, investigators obtained authorization to conduct a federal wiretap investigation, which continued through May of 2019. As a result of this investigation, Sewell, along with 32 others were indicted in June of 2019 by a federal grand jury in three separate, but related, Indictments.

The Court was informed that early in the investigation, Mr. Sewell was identified as an associate of SCO and, in particular an associate of Howard McFadden. Investigators observed Mr. Sewell meeting with Howard McFadden at a stash house location on Seddon Avenue, via pole camera footage. Once law enforcement began intercepting communications, in January of 2019, the government confirmed that these meetings pertained to drug trafficking. Mr. Sewell was intercepted communicating with Howard McFadden, discussing their drug customers and drug-trafficking businesses. Mr. Sewell regularly met with Howard McFadden at various locations, in and around Braddock, to obtain cocaine and cocaine base from Howard McFadden and/or to pay him. Mr. Sewell admitted to conspiring to distribute 182 grams of cocaine and 114 grams of cocaine base.

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

United States Attorney Brady commended the multi-agency team, which was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Sewell.

Partners in this investigation included the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, Allegheny County Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office Bureau of Narcotics, and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. Other assisting agencies included the Monroeville Police Department, Penn Hills Police Department, Wilkinsburg Police Department, and Allegheny County Adult Probation.

This case is part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force program, known as OCDETF. OCDETF was established in 1982 to support comprehensive investigations and prosecutions of major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. It is the keystone of the drug reduction strategy of the Department of Justice. By combining the resources and expertise of federal agencies and their state and local law enforcement partners, OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the most serious drug trafficking, money laundering, and transnational criminal organizations.

PITTSBURGH – Khaled Miah, 27, a resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and former student at the University of Pittsburgh, has been charged by federal criminal complaint with one count of making interstate threatening communications, one count of influencing, impeding or retaliating against a Federal law enforcement officer, and one count of destruction of records in a federal investigation, United States Attorney Scott Brady announced today. Miah was arrested on Wednesday and made an initial appearance in U.S. District Court via video teleconference. A preliminary and detention hearing is scheduled for tomorrow, January 8, 2021, at 10 a.m., before Chief Magistrate Judge Cynthia Eddy.

"Khaled Miah’s use of multiple Twitter accounts to threaten and harass federal law enforcement officers and their family members and to obstruct a federal investigation are clear violations of federal law," said U.S. Attorney Brady. "We will not hesitate to pursue and prosecute individuals who cross the line from interest to intimidation."

"This arrest is the culmination of a year-long investigation which included threatening federal law enforcement officers," said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Michael Christman. "Threatening online statements, whether directed to a federal officer or any other person, is not harmless activity. It is serious criminal activity with consequences. Threats against law enforcement officers are particularly egregious in that it interferes with our ability to protect the communities we are charged with serving. We should all understand that the First Amendment is not a license to threaten others with harm and that the FBI and our law enforcement partners will relentlessly pursue those who pose a threat to the community."

According to an affidavit filed in U.S. District Court in Pittsburgh, on or about December 27, 2020, Miah posted threats directed at individual FBI agents who were investigating him, as well as the FBI generally. In December 2020, FBI personnel identified a publicly visible Twitter account created by Miah. From the date of its creation to on or about January 1, 2021, Miah used this Twitter account to threaten, intimidate and harass FBI Pittsburgh Agents and the FBI. In addition, after posting the threatening statements, and with full knowledge of the FBI investigation into his conduct, Miah subsequently deleted those posts which impeded, obstructed, and influenced the FBI investigation.

Specifically, as referenced in the criminal complaint, among other statements, Miah posted the following statement on Twitter: "Currently eating pasta and watching videos of the secind plane hit the south tower."

Based upon their lengthy investigation of Miah, the FBI assessed that by referring to watching "videos of the second plane hit the south tower," Miah was referring to the coordinated Al-Qaeda terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, at which time two commercial airplanes were hijacked and crashed into the North and South towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. As a result, the North and South towers ultimately burned and collapsed causing the deaths of more than 2900 people. Miah went on to state that "the deed will be done, at a time which is most opportunistic for me, chosen by myself."

Miah additionally commented on December 29, 2020, that the "zero hour" was approaching and posted the geographic location of FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C. According to the criminal complaint affidavit, Miah also traveled to Washington, D.C., and was surveilled on at least 11 occasions in the immediate vicinity of the FBI headquarters building in Pittsburgh between November 1, 2020, and January 3, 2021.

The criminal complaint affidavit also details that, after seizing and searching Miah’s electronic devices pursuant to a federal search warrant, FBI’s forensic analysis revealed that Miah apparently idealized the Boston Marathon Bombers, Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, and visited several landmarks in Massachusetts associated with the bombings, including where each of the two bombings took place, where the Tsarnaev brothers participated in a violent shootout with local police, and the gym where Tamerlan Tsarnaev previously trained in mixed martial arts.

Members of the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force who were directly involved in this investigation include: FBI, University of Pittsburgh Police Department, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Allegheny County Police Department, Allegheny County Port Authority Police, Pennsylvania State Police, Allegheny County Probation, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica Lieber Smolar and Soo C. Song of the Western District of Pennsylvania.

Charges pursuant to a criminal complaint are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

 

PITTSBURGH, PA- A former resident of Wintersville, Ohio, pleaded guilty in federal court to an armed bank robbery charge, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Montague Howard, 33, pleaded guilty to one count before Chief United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak.

In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was informed that on January 15, 2020, Howard entered the First Commonwealth Bank located at 198 Park Manor Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15205, approached each of the three tellers and pointed a bb gun in their direction, requesting that they give him all the money. In all, Howard took $8,583.00 from the bank. Howard fled from the bank in a vehicle. Later that day, Howard was stopped by law enforcement in the get-away vehicle, and investigators located a black garbage bag containing all but $20.00 of the stolen money. Howard, after waiving his rights, confessed to committing the bank robbery and informed law enforcement where they could find the clothing, shoes and mask he wore during the bank robbery as well as the bb gun that he used during the robbery.

Sentencing has not yet been scheduled. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 25 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. Howard remains incarcerated pending sentencing.

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

The Federal Bureau of Investigation the Robinson Township Police Department and the Wintersville Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.

PITTSBURGH - A resident of McKees Rocks, PA, has been sentenced in federal court to 144 months’ imprisonment on her convictions of conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine, conspiracy to distribute heroin, and conspiracy to distribute cocaine, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Senior United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab imposed the sentence on Tamra Moore, age 37. 

According to information presented to the court, in 2017, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration initiated a wiretap investigation, primarily targeting the GBK street gang and drug trafficking in and around an area known as the Greenway Projects, located in the West End of the City of Pittsburgh. The wiretap investigation revealed that from in and around November 2017 through in and around June 2018, Tamra Moore conspired to distribute quantities of crack cocaine, heroin, and cocaine primarily in and around the area of the Greenway Projects.

Prior to imposing sentence, Senior Judge Schwab stated that the sentence was sufficient but not greater than necessary to achieve the goals of sentencing.

Assistant United States Attorneys Tonya Sulia Goodman and Yvonne M. Saadi prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

United States Attorney Brady commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration jointly with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, Pennsylvania State Police, Robinson Township Police Department, Stowe Township Police Department, Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, Wilkinsburg Borough Police Department, and the McKees Rocks Police Department, for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Moore.

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 – A Pittsburgh man has been charged federally with illegal possession of an unregistered destructive device and being a felon in possession of a destructive device after throwing an incendiary device from a moving vehicle on January 3, 2021 in Pittsburgh’s Lawrenceville neighborhood, United States Attorney Scott Brady announced today.

Charles Baker, 33, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is charged by criminal complaint with knowingly and unlawfully possessing a firearm, that is, a destructive device, which was not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. In addition, Baker, who has previous felony convictions, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, in this case a destructive device. Baker surrendered to law enforcement on Tuesday evening. He will make his initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Pittsburgh today at 2:30 p.m. via video teleconference.

"Our city is safer today thanks to the rapid response by the Pittsburgh Police and ATF, who worked tirelessly to identify and apprehend Charles Baker," said U.S. Attorney Brady. "Acts of wanton violence will be met with the swift hand of justice."

"It goes without saying that possessing and detonating illegal explosive devices is a crime that ATF and our law enforcement partners take very seriously," said Matthew Varisco, Special Agent in charge of ATF’s Philadelphia Field Division. "ATF along with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and all our other local, state and federal partners will continue to investigate violent crimes which threaten the safety of our communities."

"Once again the trusted partnership and vigorous level of cooperation between the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, the ATF, and all of our federal and local law enforcement partners has resulted in the swift flow of information and the administration of justice," said Pittsburgh Police Chief Scott Schubert. "We are also grateful for the assistance from residents of the City of Pittsburgh who are also committed to keeping our city safe."

According to the complaint, the explosion occurred in the 3600 block of Penn Avenue in Pittsburgh’s Lawrenceville neighborhood. It caused damage to an unoccupied, parked white 2020 Subaru Forester. That damage included partial dislodging of the rear passenger side quarter panel, breaking off and dispersing plastic material from the rear portion of the vehicle, and causing several nails from the device to penetrate the surface of the passenger side rear tire. As explained in the complaint, when items such as nails or other small metal pieces that would serve as projectiles are added to bombs, those items can cause harm and are evidence that those devices were designed as weapons.

The post-blast scene was initially processed on January 3, 2021, by Pittsburgh Bureau of Police (PBP) and several items of evidentiary value were recovered that were believed to be used in constructing the device. These items include fragments of a Twisted Tea can, green cloth possibly from a Crown Royal bag, dozens of nails/screws, car parts, and a white powdery substance. These items were submitted to the Allegheny County Forensic Lab for testing.

PBP also obtained video from a neighboring residence which showed an older model Chevy Silverado truck driving westbound on Penn Avenue. As the Silverado passed by the Forester, a device was thrown from the passenger window of the Silverado and landed in the rear passenger area of the Forester. When the device was thrown from the Silverado, it was burning in a manner consistent with an improvised initiation system or wick. The device continued to burn and generate smoke for approximately 20 seconds from the time it was thrown from the Silverado until the time it exploded.

The Silverado was captured on various cameras operated by the City of Pittsburgh as well as cameras positioned on homes in the area. This distinctive looking truck was captured on a license plate reader and the vehicle’s registered owners were identified.

A separate video was obtained from a residence on Ligonier Street that shows the distinctive looking Silverado traveling southwest on Ligonier Street and making a right-hand turn into a parking lot adjacent to the Trinity Mission Baptist Church at approximately 8:56 p.m., within one minute of the explosion. Two individuals were captured on camera coming from the vicinity of the parked Silverado. The individuals both appear to be white males. One is noticeably taller than the other. The two individuals exited the parking lot where the Silverado was parked and walked towards the vicinity of Ligonier Street. As the two individuals were walking across Ligonier Street, the camera captured one individual say something to the effect of "so it didn’t even go off," as the other laughs. At approximately 9:21 p.m., the shorter individual with the hooded sweatshirt and reflective sneakers was seen running from the vicinity of Ligonier Street towards the parked Silverado. At approximately 9:32 p.m., the Silverado exited the church parking lot.

On Monday, January 4, 2021, ATF Special Agents received information that the taller of the two suspects seen on the video is Charles Baker, who lives on the third floor of a residence on Ligonier Street and has a history of making homemade explosive devices.

ATF conducted a query of Baker’s criminal history and learned that he was convicted of several offenses that would prohibit him from possessing firearms and ammunition to include the following felonies: Burglary (convicted August 8, 2011), Conspiracy to Commit Burglary (convicted August 8, 2011), Criminal Trespass-Break Into Structure (convicted February 15, 2018), and Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession with Intent to Manufacture or Deliver a

Controlled Substance (convicted February 15, 2018). For the last conviction, Baker received a sentence of nine – 18 months’ imprisonment.

On January 4, 2021, at approximately 8:50 p.m., ATF Special Agents conducted surveillance at a home and observed the Silverado parked at a private residence. ATF Special Agents observed cosmetic changes to the appearance of the vehicle, however, the license plate was still attached to the vehicle.

ATF obtained Pennsylvania driver’s licenses for the two registered owners of the suspect Chevy Silverado and through a driver’s license photo identified one of the owners as the shorter of the two individuals seen crossing Ligonier Street and the driver of the Chevy Silverado during this incident.

On January 5, 2021, a federal search warrant was obtained to search Baker’s residence, located on Ligonier Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15201; (2) the residence of one of the owners of the Silverado; and (3) the Silverado truck used in the bombing.

The search warrants were executed on January 5, 2021, at approximately 2:30 p.m. Baker was not home at the time of the search warrant execution. The owner of the Silverado was home at the time of the search warrant execution. He agreed to speak to law enforcement and informed law enforcement that Baker asked him for a ride on January 3, 2021, and that once in the vehicle while they were driving on Penn Avenue, Baker pulled out some type of device, lit the device with a lighter and threw it out the window.

It is unlawful for an individual to manufacture, possess, or transfer a Destructive Device without first being registered in ATF’s National Firearms Transfer Record (NFA) registry and without serial numbers being issued for said NFA Weapons (i.e.; Destructive Devices). Federal law prohibits an individual who has been convicted of a felony from possessing a firearm or ammunition.

The counts charged in the criminal complaint carry a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison, and a maximum fine of $250,000.

U.S. Attorney Brady credited the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, for conducting the investigation leading to the charges in this case.

Assistant United States Attorney Nicole Vasquez Schmitt is prosecuting this case for the government.

The details contained in the criminal complaint are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

PITTSBURGH - A former resident of Ross Township, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 10 years’ imprisonment followed by 10 years’ supervised release on his conviction of Attempted Coercion and Enticement of a Minor to Engage in Illegal Sexual Activity, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Senior United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab imposed the sentence on Thomas Perry Stultz, age 38.

According to information presented to the court, from February 6, 2019 until on or about April 5, 2019, Stultz communicated online and via text messages with an undercover FBI agent, believing the agent to be a minor, to knowingly attempt to persuade, induce, entice and coerce the purported minor to engage in sexual activity with him. Law enforcement arrested Stultz on April 5, 2019, when Stultz attempted to meet the purported minor for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity.

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

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

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 – Scott W. Brady, United States Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania, issued the following statement tonight following the passing of former Attorney General of the United States, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania, and Pennsylvania Governor, Dick Thornburgh.

"We join all Pennsylvanians in mourning the passing of General Thornburgh, a true giant in the law and a former leader of our Office who set an unwavering standard of excellence and professionalism for all United States Attorneys to follow."

"General Thornburgh’s legacy has been one not only of fierce intellect and love of justice, but also, like the Pittsburgher he was, an impact infused with his trademark integrity, grace and humility."

At the Law Enforcement Directors Awards Ceremony held on November 5th, U.S. Attorney Brady unveiled the inaugural Dick Thornburgh Award, which will be presented each year to an outstanding Assistant U. S. Attorney who exhibits the commitment to justice and the highest ethical standards that were embodied by General Thornburgh throughout his career.

Then-United States Attorney General William Barr provided a videotaped statement of congratulations to Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan Conway, the first winner of the first Dick Thornburgh Award, in which AG Barr recalled his work experiences with Dick Thornburgh, the first Attorney General for whom he worked. AG Barr recalled General Thornburgh as "a lawyer’s lawyer", "an outstanding leader" and "a man of unquestioned integrity and courage."

"Away from the Department, he was a model of personal decency and public service, contributing on issues ranging from international affairs to the rights of the disabled," former AG Barr added.

Dick Thornburgh was born on July 16, 1932 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Yale University in 1954 and earned his LL.B degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1957. Mr. Thornburgh also holds honorary degrees from 31 colleges and universities.

Following law school, Mr. Thornburgh worked in private industry until 1959 when he joined the Pittsburgh law firm then known as Kirkpatrick & Lockhart. In 1967, he was elected as a delegate to the Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention. From 1969 to 1975, Mr. Thornburgh was the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania and was appointed Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division in 1975, serving two years in Washington, D.C. in that role before returning to private practice as a partner at Kirkpatrick & Lockhart. Pennsylvania elected Mr. Thornburgh governor in 1979 and he served two terms. Mr. Thornburgh also taught courses at the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government and directed that school’s Institute of Politics from 1987 to 1988.

Appointed by President Reagan, Dick Thornburgh was sworn in as Attorney General on August 12, 1988. President George H.W. Bush reinstated him as Attorney General in 1989 and he served until 1991. In 1992, the American Legion honored Mr. Thornburgh with its highest award, the "Distinguished Services Medal." He published his autobiography in 2003 entitled, Where the Evidence Leads: The Autobiography of Dick Thornburgh.

PITTSBURGH – John Burton was sentenced to 10 years and 10 months (130 months) in prison for committing fentanyl, heroin, and crack cocaine-trafficking and firearm crimes while on supervised release following a prior federal conviction for heroin trafficking, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Burton, age 32, of Pittsburgh, was sentenced by United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab. Earlier this year, Burton pled guilty to possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl, heroin, and crack cocaine, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, on August 26, 2019.

Burton was previously convicted in federal court in 2012 for conspiring to distribute heroin. He was sentenced to 46 months in prison at that time. Burton was on federal supervised release from that sentence in 2019 when he committed the additional fentanyl, heroin, and crack cocaine-trafficking and firearm crimes. Judge Schwab imposed a 12-month consecutive prison sentence for the violation of his release conditions.

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

The Pittsburgh Police Bureau of Police, the United States Marshals Service, and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General conducted the investigation leading to the conviction and sentence in this case.

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

PITTSBURGH, PA - A former resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Cheron Shelton, age 33, pleaded guilty to one count before Senior United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab.

"This case is about law enforcement working together: there is no gap between the shields," said U.S. Attorney Brady. "This outcome is only possible because of the collaboration of the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office, the Allegheny County Police Department, ATF, and the Wilkinsburg Police Department. This plea will prevent a violent offender from rejoining our community anytime soon."

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on March 11, 2016, homicide detectives from the Allegheny County Police Department and agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearm, and Explosives (ATF) executed a search warrant at Cheron Shelton’s mother’s residence in the Homewood North section of Pittsburgh as part of the investigation into the mass murder committed in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, on March 9, 2016. In the residence, investigators recovered a .22 caliber rifle with an extended magazine and loaded with ammunition, as well as documents tying Cheron Shelton to the residence. The rifle, which had been reported stolen in June 2015, was processed for forensic evidence, and one of Shelton’s fingerprints was recovered from the rifle. The court was advised that this rifle was not used in the mass murder committed in Wilkinsburg on March 9, 2016.

Shelton has a previous conviction in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. Federal law prohibits an individual who has been convicted of a felony from possessing a firearm or ammunition.

Judge Schwab scheduled sentencing for April 22, 2021 The law provides for a total sentence of ten 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 the defendant remain detained.

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

This prosecution is the result of a collaborative effort among the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office, the United States Attorney’s Office, the Allegheny County Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The Wilkinsburg Police Department provided substantial assistance with this case.

PITTSBURGH – A former resident of McKeesport, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 18 years’ imprisonment, to be followed by 20 years’ supervised release on his conviction of coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity and possession of child pornography, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Senior United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer imposed the sentence on Scott Payne, age 33, formerly of McKeesport, Pennsylvania.

According to information presented to the court, on June 10, 2017, Payne, while pretending to be a teenage female, engaged in an Internet conversation with a 12 year-old male using a chatting application known as "KIK", during which Payne persuaded the minor victim to produce and share still images and videos of the minor engaging in sex acts. The court was further informed that evidence established that Payne engaged in similar communications with a 15 year-old male in New Jersey and a 16 year-old male in Louisiana, and was in possession of sexually explicit photographs and videos of the three minor victims when law enforcement agents executed a search warrant at his residence on June 19, 2017. Payne has a 2012 conviction involving sexual abuse of children and possession of child pornography for which he was serving a term of probation at the time of his arrest and for which he was required to register as a Megan’s Law sex offender.

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

United States Attorney Brady commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Western Pennsylvania Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the Bloomfield, New Jersey Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Payne. 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 – Ricardo Glenn was sentenced to 57 months in prison for conspiring to distribute fentanyl, acetyl fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and crack cocaine, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Glenn, age 28, formerly of Butler and Philadelphia, was sentenced by United States District Judge Robert J. Colville. Judge Colville ordered that Glenn serve three years of supervised release following his prison term.

Glenn moved to Butler County from Philadelphia and distributed fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine for a Butler-based drug-trafficking crew. Glenn did so on a nearly daily basis for months in 2019 and 2020. He was under court supervision at the time, following a 2018 firearm conviction and county-jail sentence in Philadelphia.

Assistant United States Attorneys Yvonne M. Saadi and Craig W. Haller prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States.

The Pennsylvania State Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Butler County District Attorney’s Drug Task Force led the investigation leading to the conviction and sentence in this case.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of suburban Pittsburgh has been sentenced in federal court to 14 months in prison, which has already been served, followed by five years of supervised release, which includes 90 days of home incarceration followed by 90 days of home detention, on her conviction of mail fraud conspiracy and bank fraud conspiracy, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab imposed the sentence on Rachel Naill, 43.

According to information presented to the court, Rachel Naill, and her husband, Joseph Naill, obtained and used individuals’ personal identifying information to obtain fraudulent credit cards. The Naills then used the fraudulent credit cards to take cash advances, make online purchases and make point-of-sale purchases. The overall loss to financial institutions was approximately $178,500. Additionally, Rachal Naill also used stolen personal identifying information to attempt to obtain a fraudulent loan through Marquette Savings Bank.

Joseph Naill was previously sentenced to 45 months in prison and two years of supervised release.

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

United States Attorney Brady commended the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Department of Homeland Security - Homeland Security Investigations for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Rachel Naill.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A copper-processing company headquartered in Leetsdale, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to three counts under the Clean Water Act, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

United States District Court Judge William S. Stickman, IV, accepted the guilty plea of Libertas Copper, LLC d/b/a Hussey Copper ("Hussey") to one count each of submitting a false discharge monitoring report, discharging a quantity of oil that may be harmful to the environment, and failing to make immediate, required notification of such discharge of oil. Judge Stickman also proceeded directly to sentencing and ordered Hussey to pay a $550,000 fine and serve a three-year term of probation.

During today’s hearing, Hussey was represented by its Chief Executive Officer, who made admissions on behalf of the company. The Court was advised that Hussey operated a manufacturing facility on the Ohio River that produced flat-rolled copper products for the electrical distribution, industrial, and residential construction markets. Hussey also managed wastewater generated as a result of its copper processing via a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). The WWTP discharged wastewater via designated internal and external outfalls, including outfalls on the Ohio River. Hussey further admitted that at all relevant times, it operated pursuant to the terms of a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP), as authorized by the federal Clean Water Act.

As part of its guilty plea, Hussey admitted that its NPDES permit set specific discharge limits for copper and oil, among other parameters. Hussey’s NPDES permit also required the company to submit discharge monitoring reports (DMRs) on a monthly basis to PADEP, documenting the quantity and quality of the discharges authorized by its NPDES permit during the preceding month. Each DMR was required to be signed and certified as to its accuracy by a responsible corporate officer on behalf of Hussey. Hussey further acknowledged that between at least June 2012 and continuing through at least May 2017, the company knowingly submitted numerous falsified DMRs to PADEP, indicating that various discharges from its outfalls were within applicable permit limits, when in truth and in fact Hussey’s own internal sampling data showed that such discharges had exceeded the relevant limits. Hussey also admitted reporting false values in monthly DMR submissions to PADEP as to at least 140 parameters subject to discharge limits, including a substantial number of copper discharges. The false parameter values reported to PADEP concealed permit exceedances on at least 21 monthly DMRs.

Separate from the alleged DMR falsifications, Hussey also admitted engaging in a years-long pattern of discharging oil in a quantity sufficient to generate oil sheens on the Ohio River, in violation of the Clean Water Act. Between at least January 2012 and continuing until at least 2018, Hussey admitted that it documented in internal logs hundreds of observed oil sheens at two of the company’s outfalls on the Ohio River. Notwithstanding these documented observations, Hussey admitted that it did not report any of the observed oil sheens to EPA or PADEP, as required by the Clean Water Act. Further, after PADEP issued a notice of violation to Hussey in June 2015, following a citizen complaint of an oil sheen at the company’s outfall, the company admitted that a responsible corporate officer responded to the state agency that Hussey would report any future oil sheens. The next year, in July 2016, a responsible corporate officer communicated to PADEP that there had been no observed oil sheens at Hussey’s outfalls for the prior thirteen months, when, in fact, as Hussey admitted, the company’s internal logs reflected dozens of sheen observations during that time. Moreover, as part of its guilty plea, Hussey admitted that it did not make an affirmative, required report to regulatory authorities of the presence of oil sheens at its outfalls until June 2018—and even then its reporting was incomplete. To that end, Hussey’s oil-sheen reporting in June 2018 referenced sheens observed on three specific days, despite the fact that Hussey’s own internal logs documented observed sheens on fifteen additional days during the relevant month, including multiple sheens during the same week.

As a condition off Hussey’s probation, the company is also required to enter into a civil Consent Decree within 180 days of judgment in this case in connection with a pending parallel civil investigation, pursuant to which Hussey will implement a comprehensive environmental compliance program at its Leetsdale facility. Upon entry of such Consent Decree, Hussey’s probation in the criminal matter will terminate.

Assistant United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan prosecuted this case on behalf of the government, with assistance from Martin Harrell, Associate Regional Criminal Enforcement Counsel of the Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division conducted the investigation of Hussey.

PITTSBURGH – A resident of Youngstown, Ohio, was sentenced to 8 years in prison on charges of Armed Bank Robbery and Using and Brandishing a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Senior United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab imposed the sentence on Demetrius Harris, 20.

According to the information provided at his change of plea, on November 1, 2019, Harris, Darion Fitzgerald, and Taevon Young drove from Ohio and robbed the First National Bank, an FDIC insured, located at 1030 Indiana Avenue, Farrell, PA 16121, of over $62,000. Harris and his co-defendant Fitzgerald entered the bank, armed with a rifle and a handgun, while Young acted as a lookout.

Upon entering the bank, Harris pulled out a handgun, and demanded money from multiple bank tellers. During the robbery, Fitzgerald and Harris switched firearms. Shortly thereafter, Fitzgerald and Harris exited the bank, Harris now carrying the rifle-style firearm and Fitzgerald carrying the handgun, and fled on foot. The robbers took approximately $62,000.

Harris was arrested after fleeing and discarding the rifle-style firearm. Harris was found with a backpack with a large sum of U.S. currency (approximately $55,000). A rifle-style firearm (Anderson Manufacturing, AM-15, Serial #: 16357936) was recovered in the woods next to the location where Harris was arrested. Harris confessed to committing the bank robbery.

Darion Fitzgerald. 19, and Taevon Young, 20, both of Cleveland, Ohio, are pending trial.

Assistant United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Farrell Police Department, Cleveland Metroparks Police Department, and Youngstown Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the prosecution of Harris.

PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Pittsburgh, PA, has been sentenced in federal court to time served and three years’ supervised release on her conviction of narcotics trafficking in connection with a large-scale investigation, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

United States District Judge William S. Stickman imposed the sentence on Theresa Somerville, 50.

In connection with Somerville’s earlier guilty plea, the court was advised that in 2017, the Greater Pittsburgh Safe Streets Task Force initiated an investigation primarily targeting the Darccide/Smash 44, or DS44, neighborhood gang, and its drug-trafficking activity, in and around the South Side area of Pittsburgh. As part of this large-scale narcotics and firearms investigation, in February of 2019, the United States received authorization to conduct a federal wire investigation, which continued through June of 2019. In addition to communications about drug trafficking between Christopher Highsmith, the leader of the organization, and many of his coconspirators, agents made numerous seizures of fentanyl, heroin, and other drugs from members of the organization, as well as maintained critical physical surveillance of Highsmith’s drug-trafficking activities.

Somerville was convicted of one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl. She was one of 38 individuals charged in the offense, including Highsmith, as well as her son, Ronald Williams, and her daughter, Ronika Somerville. Somerville admitted to personally packaging and distributing quantities of fentanyl and heroin mixtures at her son’s direction, as well as acknowledged that she separately distributed cocaine and crack cocaine. Somerville had served approximately one month in prison pending her entry of a guilty plea in this case.

Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Stickman stated that given the defendant’s lack of criminal history, her willingness to accept responsibility for her conduct, and her poor health, a sentence that did not include an additional term of imprisonment was appropriate.

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

United States Attorney Brady commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation for leading the multi-agency investigation of this case, which included the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, Allegheny County Adult Probation, Allegheny County Police Department, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office Bureau of Narcotics, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, and the Wilkinsburg Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Somerville.

PITTSBURGH - Residents of Los Angeles, California, and Henderson, Nevada, pleaded guilty this week in federal court to charges of healthcare fraud, conspiracy to commit fraud, and conspiracy to violate the federal anti-kickback statutes, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today. Additionally, 16 corporate entities (pharmacies) pled guilty to charges of healthcare fraud, conspiracy to commit fraud, and/or conspiracy to violate the federal anti-kickback statutes.

Brothers Mehran David Kohanbash, and Joseph Kohan and their nephew, Nima Rodefshalom, entered pleas of guilty to three counts of a criminal Information before United States District Judge Susan Paradise Baxter. In addition to the three individual defendants, 16 pharmacies scattered between California, Texas, Wyoming, Arizona and Nevada also entered guilty pleas. Those pleading guilty included Insure Nutrition, Inc., Affordable Pharmacy, Inc., ASC Pharmaceutical, LLC, DQD Enterprise Corporation, DTST Ventures, LLC, Econo Pharmacy, Inc., Emerson Pharmacy, Inc., Genorex Pharmaceutical, LLC, Nutrition Plus, Inc., Pharmatek Pharmacy, Inc., Premier Med Services, Inc., Rexford Pharmacy, Inc., Specialty Pharmacy Management of America, Inc., Solutech Pharmaceuticals, LLC, Village Drug & Compounding, Inc., and Vitamed LLC.

"For nearly five years, these defendants executed elaborate schemes to steal millions of dollars from health care systems across the United States, including both Highmark and TRICARE beneficiaries in Erie, Pennsylvania," said U.S. Attorney Brady. "Where fraudsters target our veterans or vulnerable members of our community, especially relating to their health care, we will come after them."

"These defendants intended to defraud our healthcare systems and deprive patients of their right to honest services," said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Michael Christman. "They manipulated patients who were seeking bariatric treatment and preyed on their emotions, all to get the patient’s health insurance information. Without thinking twice, these defendants lined their pockets while putting a burden on our taxpayer-funded and private healthcare systems that in turn drives up insurance costs for everyone. Thank you to our partners, the United States Attorney’s Office and Department of Defense, Defense Criminal Investigative Service for their efforts on this investigation and prosecution."

"These Plea Agreements demonstrate the continued commitment of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, partnering with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Defense Health Agency, and the United States Attorney's Office in the Western District of Pennsylvania, to protect the American taxpayer and its military members from those that exploit our nation's healthcare programs including TRICARE," said Bryan Denny, Patrick Hegarty, and Chris Dillard, Special Agents in Charge, U.S. Department of Defense Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service. "False and inappropriate billings, by virtue of intended schemes or willful ignorance, place the American Warfighter in danger, erode public confidence and undermine the mission of our military services. DCIS and its law enforcement partners will continue to investigate healthcare fraud allegations in order to protect U.S. military members and the American taxpayer."

According to the information presented to the Court at the time of the pleas the three defendants conspired together to execute health care fraud schemes that targeted patients that had undergone, or were to undergo, bariatric surgical procedures. The individual defendants together with the defendant pharmacies engaged in a series of interconnected actions that resulted in misleading advertising associated with supplying what were described to the Court as nutritional shakes; the inducement to enlist various patients in ordering the nutritional shakes resulted in the defendants and the pharmacies securing the patients’ insurance information which in turn resulted in the defendants (individual defendants and by and through the pharmacies) soliciting the patients to appeal to their respective physicians to prescribe what were described for the Court as High Yield (expensive) medications.

These medications were often compounded, meaning that one or more of the pharmacies mixed together preexisting medications or substances to provide a new or different product. It was a part of the scheme(s) involved in the guilty pleas that the defendants conspired to promote these medications that often yielded extremely high profits. It was a part of the healthcare fraud scheme that the defendants defrauded healthcare benefit programs, both private insurance carriers and the government run health care program, TRICARE, for military members and their families, by manipulating the collection of co pays on various medications to make it appear that co pays were being collected when in fact they were not. An honest reporting of the failure to collect co pays would have resulted in the defendants being unable to bill insurance carriers for the cost of the various medications. The various schemes in which the defendants were involved were overlapping and ran from September of 2013 through May of 2018.

Judge Susan Paradise Baxter scheduled sentencing for April 7-8, 2020 for the individual defendants. Sentencing for the defendant pharmacies has not been scheduled. For each individual defendant, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of 35 years in prison, a fine of $750,000, or both.The three defendants and the 16 corporations agreed to forfeiture, restitution, fines and civil penalties amounting to more than $60,000,000. 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(s).

Pending sentencing, the court released each of the individual defendants on bail.

Assistant United States Attorneys Shardul S. Desai and James R. Wilson are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Defense Office of the Inspector General conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Nima Rodefshalom, Mehran David Kohanbash, Joseph Kohan, Insure Nutrition, Inc., Affordable Pharmacy, Inc., ASC Pharmaceutical, LLC, DQD Enterprise Corporation, DTST Ventures, LLC, Econo Pharmacy, Inc., Emerson Pharmacy, Inc., Genorex Pharmaceutical, LLC, Nutrition Plus, Inc., Pharmatek Pharmacy, Inc., Premier Med Services, Inc., Rexford Pharmacy, Inc., Specialty Pharmacy Management of America, Inc., Solutech Pharmaceuticals, LLC, Village Drug & Compounding, Inc., and Vitamed LLC.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Pittsburgh was sentenced in federal court for conspiracy to defraud the Pennsylvania Medicaid program and health care fraud, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon sentenced Terra Dean, 46, to four years of probation, including six months of home detention for her role in a years-long conspiracy. Dean was also ordered to pay restitution to the Pennsylvania Medicaid program in the amount of $94,101.55.

During her plea hearing on January 21, 2020, Dean admitted that between 2011 and 2017 she was an employee of Moriarty Consultants, Inc. (MCI), one of four related entities operating in the home health care industry. The other three entities were Activity Daily Living Services, Inc. (ADL), Coordination Care, Inc. (CCI), and Everyday People Staffing, Inc. (EPS). MCI, ADL, and CCI were approved under the Pennsylvania Medicaid program to offer certain services to qualifying Medicaid recipients ("consumers"), including personal assistance services (PAS), service coordination, and non-medical transportation, among other services. Between in and around January 2011 and in and around April 2017, MCI, ADL, and CCI, collectively, received more than $87,000,000 in Medicaid payments based on claims submitted for these services, with PAS payments accounting for more than $80,000,000 of the total amount.

During that time, Dean admitted that she participated in a wide-ranging conspiracy to defraud the Pennsylvania Medicaid program for the purpose of obtaining millions of dollars in illegal Medicaid payments through the submission of fraudulent claims for services that were never provided to the consumers identified on the claims, or for which there was insufficient or fabricated documentation to support the claims. As part of the conspiracy, Dean admitted that she fabricated timesheets to reflect the provision of in-home PAS care that, in fact, she never provided to the consumers identified on the timesheets. Dean further admitted that she caused the submission of Medicaid claims in the name of "ghost" employees—including, close relatives—for PAS care that was never provided to the consumers specified on Medicaid claims. Likewise, Dean admitted that she paid kickbacks to consumers in exchange for the consumers’ cooperation in the fraudulent billing scheme. In total, Dean admitted causing losses to the Pennsylvania Medicaid program in excess of $150,000.

To date, twelve defendants have pleaded guilty for their roles in the conspiracy.

Assistant United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan and Special Assistant United States Attorney Edward Song are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General – Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General, and United States Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation of the defendants.

PITTSBURGH - A former resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of possession of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Krent Jeffrey Haight, age 48, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on November 14, 2018, Haight knowingly possessed approximately 1500 still images and videos in computer graphics files, the production of which involved the use of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct, some of whom had not yet attained 12 years of age. Haight admitted that he uploaded numerous such images to Tumblr, a social networking website, making them available for public viewing.

Judge Bissoon scheduled sentencing for April 15, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of not less than 10 years nor more than 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 Haight remain in custody.

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

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

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

PITTSBURGH, PA – A resident of New York, NY was sentenced in federal court to charges of fraud conspiracy and aggravated identity theft, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Ramses Nathaniel Acosta, 39, was sentenced on two counts before United States Senior District Judge Joy Flowers Conti.

According to information provided to the court, Acosta, in a multi-state scheme, defrauded Sprint Corporation by using counterfeit drivers’ licenses to purchase cell phones and electronics in the identities of existing Sprint customers.

Judge Conti sentenced Acosta to 27 months’ incarceration, and two years’ supervised release.

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

Agents from Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation leading to the prosecution of Acosta.

PITTSBURGH – A Greensburg physician was sentenced in federal court today for three counts of distribution of buprenorphine, a Schedule III controlled substance; one count of health care fraud; and one count of money laundering, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced.

Nabil Jabbour, 69, a physician who previously operated an addiction-treatment practice out of offices in Greensburg and Connellsville, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to twelve months and one day in prison followed by one year of supervised release. Jabbour was also ordered to pay a $75,000 fine and a total of $40,000 in restitution to Medicare and the Pennsylvania Medicaid program. He will also forfeit approximately $17,000 in previously seized cash and casino chips.

"As a physician, Nabil Jabbour took an oath to uphold the ethical standards of his profession; instead, he operated a cash-only business that took advantage of vulnerable patients seeking help for their opioid addiction so that he could spend their money at casinos," said U.S. Attorney Brady. "We will continue our steady pursuit to bring drug-dealing doctors to justice."

"We trust our doctors to carefully and thoughtfully write prescriptions, not use their access to profit off of highly addictive medications meant to treat opioid addiction - an addiction that steals the lives of 12 Pennsylvanians a day," said Attorney General Josh Shapiro. "Dr. Jabbour admitted to unlawfully prescribing buprenorphine on multiple occasions for cash. My office and our partners in law enforcement will continue to hold individuals accountable who recklessly put the lives of others at risk for their own personal gain."

During his plea hearing on October 28, 2019, Jabbour admitted that on three occasions between July 2016 and December 2016 he unlawfully prescribed buprenorphine to undercover law enforcement officers. Buprenorphine is commonly used in the treatment of patients suffering from opioid addiction, and it is sold under the trade names Suboxone, Subutex, or Zubsolv. As Jabbour acknowledged, none of the undercover officers to whom he prescribed buprenorphine suffered from opioid use disorder or otherwise displayed symptoms of withdrawal. Jabbour further admitted that he did not accept insurance from his patients, requiring instead that they pay him in cash—typically $100 for an initial office visit and $80 for each subsequent visit. Although Jabbour did not accept insurance, he admitted that he caused Medicare and Pennsylvania Medicaid, two government-funded healthcare programs, to cover the costs of fraudulent buprenorphine prescriptions that he wrote for his patients. Finally, Jabbour also admitted to one count of money laundering based on a transaction he initiated at the Meadows Casino in July 2016 involving $13,960 in cash derived from his unlawful distribution of buprenorphine.

Pursuant to a written plea agreement, Jabbour also accepted responsibility for unlawfully distributing buprenorphine to undercover officers on fourteen additional occasions, maintaining his office locations in Greensburg and Connellsville as drug-involved premises, and laundering approximately $47,000 in cash from his buprenorphine practice during four additional trips to the Meadows Casino. Jabbour also agreed that he was responsible for between 10,000 and 20,000 dosage units of unlawful buprenorphine prescriptions.

Assistant United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The investigation leading to the filing of charges in this case was conducted by the Western Pennsylvania Opioid Fraud and Abuse Detection Unit, which combines personnel and resources from multiple federal and state agencies to combat the growing prescription opioid epidemic, including the Drug Enforcement Administration, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General – Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General. The Pennsylvania State Police, the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General – Narcotics Unit, Greensburg City Police, South Greensburg Police, and Westmoreland County Sheriff’s Office also provided assistance during the investigation and prosecution of Jabbour.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Chino Valley, Arizona, was sentenced today in federal court for one count of conspiracy to smuggle misbranded drugs into the United States and introduce them into interstate commerce, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced.

United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab sentenced Jeremy Brooks, 31, to five years of probation, including 180 days of home detention. Brooks was also ordered to forfeit a total of approximately $106,000 that was previously seized during the investigation.

During his plea hearing on August 6, 2020, Brooks admitted that between January 2016 and May 8, 2018, he engaged in a conspiracy to obtain unapproved drugs in bulk quantities from overseas suppliers, including suppliers in China, for the purpose of pressing the drugs into pills and distributing them to customers throughout the United States via an internet-based business—Domestic RCS—that he and a co-conspirator, Justin Ash, controlled. The business’s website, www.domesticrcs.com, advertised multiple unapproved or "misbranded" drugs—clonazolam, diclazepam, flubromazolam, and etizolam—each of which was a non-prescription benzodiazepine or substance with a similar chemical composition. As Brooks further acknowledged, these substances carried risks of dependency, toxicity, and even fatal overdose, particularly when combined with other central nervous system depressants. Although the co-conspirators’ website and the packaging contained in their shipments indicated that the substances were for "research purposes only," Brooks admitted that he was aware that the vast majority of customers purchased the drugs for individual consumption. Indeed, Brooks, Ash, or others acting at their direction communicated directly with individual customers about, among other things, the effects of the drugs when used for personal consumption. In an effort to evade detection by United States federal authorities, including the United States Food and Drug Administration, United States Postal Inspection Service, and United States Customs and Border Protection, Brooks also admitted that he and Ash caused their overseas suppliers to ship drugs to multiple addresses under their control and in smaller quantities that would draw less government scrutiny.

On November 24, 2020, in a related case, Judge Schwab sentenced Ash to 24 months’ incarceration and ordered him to forfeit approximately $780,000 in connection with his role in the conspiracy.

Assistant United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. The United States Food and Drug Administration – Office of Criminal Investigations and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation leading to the conviction in this case.

PITTSBURGH, PA – A federal grand jury in Pittsburgh has issued three separate, but related, Indictments, charging 30 residents of western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio with narcotics trafficking and firearm possession, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

According to U.S. Attorney Brady, the Indictments are a part of an ongoing investigation into members and associates of the Pagans Motorcycle Club (PMC or Pagans) operating in and around western Pennsylvania engaging in illegal activity, including federal violations of drug and firearm laws. The related Indictments are the result of an investigation that began in August of 2018, and ultimately led to a Title III wire investigation with intercepted communications over several telephones from August 2020 through November 2020. The defendants are alleged to have conspired to distribute controlled substances including cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin.

"For decades, the Pagans have used violence to control cocaine, heroin and meth trafficking throughout western Pennsylvania: that stops now," said U.S. Attorney Brady. "With the arrests of thirty members and associates of the Pittsburgh chapter of the Pagan’s Motorcycle Club, including higher-ranking members, we have disrupted their criminal organization and made western Pennsylvania safer."

"The members and associates of the Pagan’s Motorcycle Club facing charges today had a complete disregard for the law and the safety of the communities they operate in," said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Michael Christman. "Through joint, collaborative investigations and robust partnerships, we will continue to target the leadership of these organizations and bring them to justice for the harm caused by their criminal actions."

According to the Department of Justice, the PMC is a violent Outlaw Motorcycle Gang whose membership distribute cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, marijuana and other illegal drugs. The Pagans are one of the most prominent outlaw motorcycle gangs in the eastern United States. In addition to the PMC insignia, members of the PMC wear a diamond patch with "1%" inscribed inside, which denotes their claim to be among the one percent of motorcycle riders who are not law abiding.

According to information provided to the court, the three Indictments charge 30 individuals with federal drug trafficking and firearms charges. The drugs they distributed include significant quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin. The Indictments are the result of this long-term investigation, including court-authorized wiretaps on the cell phones of key members of the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Pagans Motorcycle Club. The investigation, which was wide-spread, also resulted in identifying large-scale suppliers of narcotics not only to members and associates of the Pagans, but to local drug traffickers and suppliers within the Greater Pittsburgh Region.

During the course of the investigation, which began in August of 2018, law enforcement received information pertaining to the suspected illegal activities of Bill Rana, aka "Pittsburgh Billy", Eric Armes aka "Knuckles", Jason Evans aka "Shahid", and Patrick Rizzo, who have all been identified as suspected members or associates of the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Pagans Motorcycle Club, as well as Phillip Bonanno, who has been identified as a suspected member of an Ohio Chapter of the Pagans Motorcycle Club, and others.

The PMC members routinely hold "church", a term used to describe their weekly meetings, on Thursdays. They also appeared to hold frequent, large gatherings or parties between PMC members/associates, non-PMC members, and other outlaw motorcycle gangs, at their McKees Rocks Clubhouse, which was one of more than a dozen locations where agents executed federally-authorized search warrants on December 8, 2020.

The three Indictments were returned under seal on December 1, 2020, and unsealed yesterday.

The first Indictment contains two conspiracy counts and one firearm possession count, and names the following nine individuals as defendants:

• Bill Rana, 40, of Cheswick, PA

• Eric Armes, 42, of Cheswick, PA

• Jason Evans, 44, of Pittsburgh, PA

• Hasani James, 49, of Detroit, MI

• Cody Bonanno, 25, of Uhrichsville, OH

• Phillip Bonanno, 54, of New Philadelphia, OH

• Dominic Quarture, 52, of Washington, PA

• Mark Stockhausen, 39, of Erie, PA

• Patrick Rizzo, 45, of McKees Rocks, PA

According to this Indictment, Rana, Armes, C. Bonanno, P. Bonanno, and Quarture conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance between January and November of 2020. The Indictment also charges Rana, Evans, James, P. Bonanno, and Stockhausen with conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance, also between January and November of 2020.

The Indictment further alleges that on or about October 21, 2020, Patrick Rizzo, a convicted felon, who is prohibited from lawfully possessing a firearm, was found to be in possession of a loaded Taurus Judge .45 LC/410 pistol. As it relates to this count, the Indictment seeks forfeiture of the firearm and ammunition.

The second Indictment contains two counts and names the following nine individuals as defendants:

• Anthony Peluso, 38, of Hampton Township, PA

• Marissa Botta, 28, of Hampton Township, PA

• David Pietropaolo, 23, of Glenshaw, PA

• Thomas Snelsire, 45, of Baldwin, PA

• Wayne Webber, 42, of Duquesne, PA

• Ronald Simak, 37, of Verona, PA

• Anthony Scatena, 22, of Pittsburgh, PA

• James Stewart, 41, of Pittsburgh, PA

• Dorin Duncan, 42, of Glenshaw, PA

According to this Indictment, the above-named defendants conspired to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance between January and November of 2020. The Indictment further alleges that Peluso, Botta and Snelsire also conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of heroin, a Schedule I controlled substance, also between January and November 2020.

The third Indictment contains two counts and names the following twelve individuals as defendants:

• Jeffrey Kushik, 29, of Pittsburgh, PA

• Gary Hairston, 40, of Pittsburgh, PA

• Darian Wofford, 27, of Pittsburgh, PA

• Stephanie Zilka, 27, of Baldwin, PA

• Misty Walker, 39, of Pittsburgh, PA

• Richard White, 18, of Pittsburgh, PA

• Randy Camacho, 34, of Pittsburgh, PA

• Damian Cherepko, 26, of Elizabeth, PA

• Brandon Hulboy, 29, of Pittsburgh, PA

• James Crivella, 27, of Glenshaw, PA

• Seaira Collins, 32, of Pittsburgh, PA

• Jessica Taranto, 37, of Pittsburgh, PA

According to this Indictment, Kushik, Hairston, Wofford, Zilka, Walker, Camacho, Collins, and Taranto conspired to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance between August and November of 2020. The Indictment further charges Kushik, Hairston, Wofford, Zilka, Walker, White, Cherepko, Hulboy and Crivella with conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of heroin, a Schedule I controlled substance, also between August and November of 2020.

As to the conspiracy counts involving 100 grams or more of heroin and 500 grams or more of cocaine, the law provides for a minimum sentence of five years’ and a maximum sentence of 40 years’ imprisonment, a fine of not more than $5,000,000, or both. As to the conspiracy count involving 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and one kilogram or more of heroin, the law provides for a minimum sentence of 10 years’ and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a fine of not more than $10,000,000, or both. As to Patrick Rizzo the law provides for a maximum sentence of imprisonment of 10 years, a fine of not more than $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of each defendant.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the multi-agency investigation of this case, which also included the United States Postal Inspection Service, Drug Enforcement Administration, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, Pennsylvania State Police, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General Bureau of Narcotics Investigations. Other assisting agencies include the Allegheny County Police Department Homicide, Baldwin Police Department, Brentwood Police Department, McKees Rocks Police Department, Stowe Township Police Department and West Deer Township 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.

Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca L. Silinski is prosecuting these cases on behalf of the government.

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

A video announcement regarding this case can be found here: https://youtu.be/iWAof7-KgLA

A criminal complaint unsealed Friday in federal court in Pittsburgh charges Desmond Fodje Bobga for his alleged involvement in a puppy fraud scheme perpetrated against American consumers.  Fodje Bobga, 27, is a citizen of Cameroon who is in Romania on a visa to attend a university there. 

He is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, forging a seal of the U.S. Supreme Court, and aggravated identity theft.  Fodje Bobga has been arrested.  A website that was used in the online puppy fraud scheme, www.lovelyhappypuppy.com, is already deleted.  

“The Department of Justice is committed to deterring and disrupting schemes, especially transnational ones, that take advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic for financial gain by victimizing consumers,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Jeffery Bossert Clark for the Civil Division.  “We are grateful to our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Western District of Pennsylvania and the FBI for working hard to shut down this fraud scheme and to punish criminals who seek to exploit American’s fondness for animals.”

“The dog adoption market can be a breeding ground for catfish schemes.  Fodje Bogda and his co-conspirators exploited a national pandemic — and the social isolation it engendered — to exploit victims with photos of cute puppies and to bilk extra costs under the pretense of COVID,” said U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady for the Western District of Pennsylvania.  “With the holiday season upon us, and the desire for companionship higher than ever, don’t fall prey to scammers selling pets online: do your research and verify.”

“Unfortunately, the pandemic has created the perfect condition for unscrupulous pet sellers to thrive,” said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Michael Christman.  “This suspect exploited this website to sell puppies and capitalized on people looking for companion animals online during this difficult time.  The FBI has a long arm and an even longer reach and no matter where these scammers are, we will stop at nothing to make sure they don't get away with victimizing American citizens.”

According to the unsealed affidavit filed with the criminal complaint, from around June 2018 to the present, Fodje Bobga knowingly conspired with others to offer puppies and other animals for sale on Internet websites, including lovelyhappypuppy.com.  He and others communicated by text message and email with potential victims to induce pet purchases.  Following each purchase, Fodje Bobga and the co-conspirators claimed that a transportation company would deliver the puppy or other animal and provided a false tracking number for the pet.  Fodje Bobga and his co-conspirators, acting as the transportation company, then claimed the pet transport was delayed and that the victim needed to pay additional money for delivery of the pet. 

More recently, Fodje Bobga and the co-conspirators told some victims that they needed to pay even more money for delivery because the pet had been exposed to the coronavirus.  The perpetrators used false and fraudulent promises and documents regarding shipping fees and coronavirus exposure to extract successive payments from victims.  Among the fake documents were a “refundable crate and vaccine guarantee document” that purported to have been issued by the “Supreme Court of the United States of America” and bore the seal of the court, along with the signature of a Clerk of the Court.  After Fodje Bobga and the co-conspirators received money directly and indirectly through wire communications from the victims, Fodje Bobga and the co-conspirators never delivered the pets.

The affidavit and criminal complaint detail the alleged dealings of Fodje Bobga and his co-conspirators with six victims in Western Pennsylvania and elsewhere who were seeking to purchase a puppy.  According to the affidavits and criminal complaint:

• Victim 1, of New Brighton, Pennsylvania, was seeking to purchase a mini-dachshund puppy for her mother in mid-March of 2020.  Victim 1 was induced to lose $9,100 due to false claims that the puppy was being shipped, needed insurance, and was exposed to COVID-19;
• Victim 2 of Fruitland, Iowa, was seeking to purchase a mini dachshund puppy for herself in mid-March of 2020.  False claims induced Victim 2 to lose $1,840;
• Victim 3 of Marion Center, Pennsylvania, was seeking to purchase a teacup Chihuahua and paid $600.  Victim 3 became suspicious when asked for an additional $800 for shipping.  Fodje Bobga allegedly provided a false Refundable Crate and Vaccine Guarantee Document, purported to have been issued by and containing the seal of the Supreme Court of the United States, in an attempt to induce Victim 3 to pay the additional charges.  Victim 3 lost $600;
• Victim 4 is a Dallas, Texas, couple who were seeking to purchase a dog.  Following the payment of $950 for the agreed upon dog named Snow White, the couple was contacted regarding issues with shipment and induced to pay $850 more by Zelle, an online payment service.  The couple was contacted again with the claim that payment did not go through due to the wrong name being listed, but refused to resend $850.  Victim 4 lost $1,800;
• Victim 5 of Cheswick, Pennsylvania, was seeking to purchase a Chihuahua named Bentley for $600.  After sending a $600 MoneyGram to the alleged seller, Victim 5 was contacted repeatedly regarding problems with payments, transportation issues and the need to purchase a U.S. Department of Agriculture permit.  Victim 5 lost $1,500; and
• Victim 6 of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was searching for a puppy online but became suspicious and did not send any payments.  According to the complaint, 55 text messages were exchanged with Victim 6’s phone number, between Jan. 23, 2020, and Jan. 24, 2020, that attempted to induce Victim 6 to pay for a puppy.

Fodje Bobga was arrested in Cluj, Romania, on Dec. 3, 2020, pursuant to a provisional arrest request from the United States. 

The wire fraud conspiracy and wire fraud charges provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison.  Forging of Seal provides for a maximum sentence of five years in prison.  Aggravated identity theft provides for a mandatory two years in prison in addition to the other sentences.  Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI Pittsburgh Field Office conducted the investigation leading to the domain seizures and criminal complaint in this case.  The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shardul Desai and Ira M. Karoll of the Western District of Pennsylvania and Wei Xiang of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch.

The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance.  Law enforcement authorities in Romania including the Romanian National Police, Directorate for Combating Organized Crime and the Cluj Brigade for Combating Organized Crime provided significant cooperation.

The FBI urges vigilance during the COVID-19 pandemic.  For resources on keeping yourself and your family safe from hackers and scammers visit: https://www.fbi.gov/coronavirus.

The details contained in the criminal complaint are allegations.  The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch, visit its website at www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. 

WASHINGTON – A criminal complaint unsealed Friday in federal court in Pittsburgh charges Desmond Fodje Bobga for his alleged involvement in a puppy fraud scheme perpetrated against American consumers. Fodje Bobga, 27, is a citizen of Cameroon who is in Romania on a visa to attend a university there. He is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, forging a seal of the U.S. Supreme Court, and aggravated identity theft. Fodje Bobga has been arrested. A website that was used in the online puppy fraud scheme, www.lovelyhappypuppy.com, is already deleted.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey Bossert Clark of the Department of Justice’s Civil Division, U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady for the Western District of Pennsylvania and Special Agent in Charge Michael Christman of the FBI Pittsburgh Field Office, announced the arrest.

"The Department of Justice is committed to deterring and disrupting schemes, especially transnational ones, that take advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic for financial gain by victimizing consumers," said Acting Assistant Attorney General Clark. "We are grateful to our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Western District of Pennsylvania and the FBI for working hard to shut down this fraud scheme and to punish criminals who seek to exploit American’s fondness for animals."

"The dog adoption market can be a breeding ground for catfish schemes. Fodje Bogda and his co-conspirators exploited a national pandemic — and the social isolation it engendered — to exploit victims with photos of cute puppies and to bilk extra costs under the pretense of COVID," said U.S. Attorney Brady. "With the holiday season upon us, and the desire for companionship higher than ever, don’t fall prey to scammers selling pets online: do your research and verify."

"Unfortunately, the pandemic has created the perfect condition for unscrupulous pet sellers to thrive," said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Michael Christman. "This suspect exploited this website to sell puppies and capitalized on people looking for companion animals online during this difficult time. The FBI has a long arm and an even longer reach and no matter where these scammers are, we will stop at nothing to make sure they don't get away with victimizing American citizens."

According to the unsealed affidavit filed with the criminal complaint, from around June 2018 to the present, Fodje Bobga knowingly conspired with others to offer puppies and other animals for sale on Internet websites, including lovelyhappypuppy.com. He and others communicated by text message and email with potential victims to induce pet purchases. Following each purchase, Fodje Bobga and the coconspirators claimed that a transportation company would deliver the puppy or other animal and provided a false tracking number for the pet. Fodje Bobga and his coconspirators, acting as the transportation company, then claimed the pet transport was delayed and that the victim needed to pay additional money for delivery of the pet. More recently, Fodje Bobga and the coconspirators told some victims that they needed to pay even more money for delivery because the pet had been exposed to the coronavirus. The perpetrators used false and fraudulent promises and documents regarding shipping fees and coronavirus exposure to extract successive payments from victims. Among the fake documents were a "Refundable Crate and Vaccine Guarantee Document" that purported to have been issued by the "Supreme Court of the United States of America" and bore the seal of the Court, along with the signature of a Clerk of the Court. After Fodje Bobga and the coconspirators received money directly and indirectly through wire communications from the victims, Fodje Bobga and the coconspirators never delivered the pets.

The affidavit and criminal complaint detail the alleged dealings of Fodje Bobga and his coconspirators with six victims in Western Pennsylvania and elsewhere who were seeking to purchase a puppy. According to the affidavits and criminal complaint:

• Victim 1, of New Brighton, Pennsylvania, was seeking to purchase a mini-dachshund puppy for her mother in mid-March of 2020. Victim 1 was induced to lose $9,100 due to false claims that the puppy was being shipped, needed insurance, and was exposed to COVID-19;

• Victim 2 of Fruitland, Iowa was seeking to purchase a mini dachshund puppy for herself in mid-March of 2020. False claims induced Victim 2 to lose $1,840;

• Victim 3 of Marion Center, Pennsylvania was seeking to purchase a teacup Chihuahua and paid $600. Victim 3 became suspicious when asked for an additional $800 for shipping. Fodje Bobga allegedly provided a false Refundable Crate and Vaccine Guarantee Document, purported to have been issued by and containing the seal of the Supreme Court of the United States, in an attempt to induce Victim 3 to pay the additional charges. Victim 3 lost $600;

• Victim 4 is a Dallas, Texas couple who were seeking to purchase a dog. Following the payment of $950 for the agreed upon dog named Snow White, the couple was contacted regarding issues with shipment and induced to pay $850 more by Zelle, an online payment service. The couple was contacted again with the claim that payment did not go through due to the wrong name being listed, but refused to resend $850. Victim 4 lost $1,800;

• Victim 5 of Cheswick, Pennsylvania, was seeking to purchase a Chihuahua named Bentley for $600. After sending a $600 MoneyGram to the alleged seller, Victim 5 was contacted repeatedly regarding problems with payments, transportation issues and the need to purchase a USDA permit. Victim 5 lost $1,500; and

• Victim 6 of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was searching for a puppy online but became suspicious and did not send any payments. According to the complaint, 55 text messages were exchanged with Victim 6’s phone number, between January 23, 2020, and January 24, 2020, that attempted to induce Victim 6 to pay for a puppy.

Fodje Bobga was arrested in Cluj, Romania, on December 3, 2020, pursuant to a provisional arrest request from the United States.

The wire fraud conspiracy and wire fraud charges provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison. Forging of Seal provides for a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Aggravated Identity Theft provides for a mandatory two years in prison in addition to the other sentences. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI Pittsburgh Field Office conducted the investigation leading to the domain seizures and criminal complaint in this case. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shardul Desai and Ira M. Karoll of the Western District of Pennsylvania and Wei Xiang of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch.

The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance. Law enforcement authorities in Romania including the Romanian National Police, Directorate for Combating Organized Crime and the Cluj Brigade for Combating Organized Crime provided significant cooperation.

The FBI urges vigilance during the COVID-19 pandemic. For resources on keeping yourself and your family safe from hackers and scammers visit: https://www.fbi.gov/coronavirus.

The details contained in the criminal complaint are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch, visit its website at www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch.

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

Criminal Complaint

• Criminal Complaint

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A longtime fugitive has been sentenced in federal court to 33 months in prison, three years’ supervised release and ordered to pay restitution to the Internal Revenue Service in the amount of $82,129, on his conviction of filing false claims against an agency of the United States, U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson imposed the sentence on William Fabiseski, 46, of Tunkhannock, Pa.

According to information presented to the court, from Feb. 10, 2007, to Aug. 23, 2008, Fabiseski, while incarcerated at the State Correctional Institute in Houtzdale, Pa., prepared and filed false, fictitious, and fraudulent income tax returns using the personal identifying information of his fellow inmates knowing such claims were false. The claims he prepared and filed were false in that the purported claimant’s address was false, and the wage and withholding information was false. Fabiseski then kept the proceeds.

Fabiseski was indicted on Jan. 31, 2012, by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of filing a false claim against an agency of the United States, After more than seven years on the run, the United States Marshals Service located and arrested the defendant on October 1, 2019, in Scranton, Pa. He was returned to the Western District of Pennsylvania for prosecution.

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

U.S. Attorney Brady commended the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division for conducting the investigation leading to the prosecution of Fabiseski.

PITTSBURGH, PA - A former resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania has been sentenced in federal court on convictions of narcotics trafficking, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

On December 1, 2020, Senior United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab imposed the sentence of eight years of imprisonment, followed by eight years of supervised release, on Justin Law, 31, formerly of Wilkinsburg, PA.

According to information presented to the Court, the Greater Pittsburgh Safe Streets Task Force conducted a long-term investigation of drug trafficking occurring in and around the Braddock section of Pittsburgh. Law enforcement identified several individuals who were illegally distributing controlled substances in the Greater Pittsburgh Region, as members of a neighborhood-based street gang, self-titled "SCO" and whose leader was identified as Howard McFadden.

In January of 2019, investigators obtained authorization to conduct a federal wiretap investigation, which continued through May of 2019. As a result of this investigation, Law, along with 32 others were indicted in June of 2019 by a federal grand jury in three separate, but related, Indictments.

The Court was informed that intercepted communications confirmed that Law was conspiring with others to possess with intent to distribute and distribute heroin and is an associate of one of the main members of the conspiracy and of "SCO." The Court was further informed that Law was a fugitive from June 12, 2019, when law enforcement executed numerous federal arrest and search warrants, until October 3, 2019, when he was arrested by the United States Marshals Western District of Pennsylvania Fugitive Task Force.

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

United States Attorney Brady commended the multi-agency team, which was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Law. Partners in this investigation included the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, Allegheny County Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office Bureau of Narcotics, and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. Other assisting agencies included the Monroeville Police Department, Penn Hills Police Department, Wilkinsburg Police Department, and Allegheny County Adult Probation.

This case is part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force program, known as OCDETF. OCDETF was established in 1982 to support comprehensive investigations and prosecutions of major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. It is the keystone of the drug reduction strategy of the Department of Justice. By combining the resources and expertise of federal agencies and their state and local law enforcement partners, OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the most serious drug trafficking, money laundering, and transnational criminal organizations.

ERIE, Pa. - A former resident of Erie, Pennsylvania has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal firearms and narcotics laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

The three-count Indictment named Joseph Russell Wayne, Jr., 31, as the sole defendant.

According to the Indictment presented to the court, on November 17, 2020, Wayne possessed a Smith and Wesson, .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun in furtherance of the unlawful possession of marijuana, and additionally possessed a Smith and Wesson, 9mm semi-automatic handgun while prohibited under federal law. The Indictment alleged a total of $462,789.40 in assets are subject to forfeiture as proceeds of the unlawful distribution of marijuana by Wayne.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of life in prison, a fine of $750,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

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

The Pennsylvania State Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case. Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the Fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see www.justice.gov/projectguardian.

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

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Residents of Johnstown, Pa., and Washington, Pa. were indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal narcotics laws and firearms laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

The four-count Indictment named Isiaha Waulk, 24, formerly of Johnstown, Pa., and Derik Carothers, 25, formerly of Washington, Pa., as defendants.

According to the Indictment presented to the court, on or about October 20, 2019, Waulk and Carothers conspired to distribute and possessed with intent to distribute a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine base, in the form commonly known as crack. Further, Waulk and Carothers were found in found in possession of numerous firearms and ammunition. On November 4, 2013, Waulk was convicted in the Cambria County Court of Common Pleas of aggravated assault, and on January 16, 2015 of robbery and aggravated assault, which are crimes punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year. On November 7, 2013, Carothers was convicted in the Cambria County Court of Common Pleas of burglary and carrying a firearm without a license, and on March 20, 2017 of carrying a firearm without a license, also crimes punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year. Federal law prohibits persons who have been convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year from possessing firearms.

The law provides for a maximum sentence of 20 years to life in prison, a fine of $1,500,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

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

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives 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. – A copper-processing company headquartered in Leetsdale, Pennsylvania, was charged in federal court with three counts under the Clean Water Act related to unlawful discharges into the Ohio River over a five-year period, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today. The guilty plea and sentencing hearing has been scheduled for December 15, 2020, at 10:30 a.m., before United States District Judge William S. Stickman, IV.

Libertas Copper, LLC d/b/a Hussey Copper ("Hussey"), was charged by criminal Information on November 30, 2020, with one count each of: (1) submitting a false discharge monitoring report, (2) discharging a quantity of oil that may be harmful to the environment, and (3) failing to make immediate, required notification of such discharge of oil.

"Protecting western Pennsylvania’s precious natural resources is a serious responsibility and a priority of this office," said U.S. Attorney Brady. "As the filing of this Criminal Information makes clear, polluting western Pennsylvania’s waterways and lying about it are crimes that will not be tolerated. If you pollute and try to cover it up, you will be investigated and prosecuted."

"In order to safeguard the environment, it is essential that the government receives accurate, honest and timely information," said Jennifer Lynn, Special Agent in Charge of EPA’s Criminal Enforcement Program in Pennsylvania. "Today’s charges demonstrate that we will hold violators responsible for breaking our environmental laws."

According to the Information, Hussey operated a manufacturing facility on the Ohio River that produced flat-rolled copper products for the electrical distribution, industrial, and residential construction markets. Hussey managed wastewater generated as a result of its copper processing via a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). The WWTP discharged wastewater via designated internal and external outfalls, including outfalls on the Ohio River. At all relevant times, Hussey operated pursuant to the terms of a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP), as authorized by the federal Clean Water Act.

As alleged, Hussey’s NPDES permit set specific discharge limits for copper and oil, among other parameters. In addition, Hussey’s NPDES permit required the company to submit discharge monitoring reports (DMRs) on a monthly basis to PADEP, documenting the quantity and quality of the discharges authorized by its NPDES permit during the preceding month. Each DMR was required to be signed and certified as to its accuracy by a responsible corporate officer on behalf of Hussey. According to the Information, between at least June 2012 and continuing through at least May 2017, Hussey knowingly submitted numerous falsified DMRs to PADEP, indicating that various discharges from its outfalls were within applicable permit limits, when in truth and in fact Hussey’s own internal sampling data showed that such discharges had exceeded the relevant limits. The Information further alleges that during this time, Hussey reported false values in monthly DMR submissions to PADEP as to at least 140 parameters subject to discharge limits, including a substantial number of copper discharges. The false parameter values reported to PADEP allegedly concealed permit exceedances on at least 21 monthly DMRs.

Separate from the alleged DMR falsifications, the Information also alleges that Hussey engaged in a years-long pattern of discharging oil in a quantity sufficient to generate oil sheens on the Ohio River, in violation of the Clean Water Act. Between at least January 2012 and continuing until at least 2018, Hussey allegedly documented in internal logs hundreds of observed oil sheens at two of the company’s outfalls on the Ohio River. Notwithstanding these documented observations, Hussey failed to report any of the observed oil sheens to EPA or PADEP, as required by the Clean Water Act. After PADEP issued a notice of violation to Hussey in June 2015, following a citizen complaint of an oil sheen at the company’s outfall, a responsible corporate officer allegedly responded to the state agency that Hussey would report any future oil sheens. Later, in July 2016, a responsible corporate officer communicated to PADEP that there had been no observed oil sheens at Hussey’s outfalls for the prior thirteen months, when, in fact, as alleged, Hussey’s internal logs reflected dozens of sheen observations during that time. The Information further alleges that Hussey did not make an affirmative, required report to PADEP of the presence of oil sheens at its outfalls until June 2018—and even then its reporting was incomplete. According to the Information, Hussey’s oil-sheen reporting in June 2018 referenced sheens observed on three specific days, despite the fact that Hussey’s own internal logs documented observed sheens on fifteen additional days during the relevant month, including multiple sheens during the same week.

The maximum fine for submitting a false DMR (Count One) and failing to make immediate notification of the discharge of a quantity of oil that may be harmful (Count Three) is $500,000. The maximum fine for discharging a quantity of oil that may be harmful (Count Two) is (i) not less than $5,000 per day and not more than $50,000 per day of violation, or (ii) $500,000, whichever is greater. Each count carries a maximum term of probation of at least one year but not more than five years. The actual sentence imposed would be based upon the Court’s consideration of the Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory sentencing factors.

Assistant United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government, with assistance from Martin Harrell, Associate Regional Criminal Enforcement Counsel of the Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division conducted the investigation of Hussey Copper.

A criminal Information is an accusation.

A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The filing of an Information generally indicates that the defendant intends to enter a guilty plea.

Information

• Information

PITTSBURGH, PA – A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of Malicious Destruction of Property, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady, announced today.

The one-count Indictment returned on November 17, 2020, named Lawrence Attisano, age 34, of Pittsburgh's Lawrencville neighborhood, as the sole defendant.

According to the Indictment, on or about July 16, 2020, Attisano set fire to the duplex located at 421-423 Lamar Avenue in Wilkinsburg. The occupants of the two residences were able to escape without injury.

Attisano faces a maximum sentence of imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the 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 Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the Allegheny County Fire Marshal’s office conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.

An indictment is an accusation. Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.