Western District of Pennsylvania

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Washington, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to one year of imprisonment, followed by five years supervised release and ordered to pay approximately $979,595.82 in restitution on her conviction of embezzlement, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

United States District Judge Donetta W. Ambrose, imposed the Catherine M. Linton, 58, of Washington, Pennsylvania.

According to information presented to the Court, Linton, as former manager of Trailblazer Federal Credit Union, embezzled approximately $979,595.82.

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

Acting U.S. Attorney Song commended Federal Bureau of Investigation for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Linton.

ERIE, Pa. - A former resident of Crawford County, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal laws relating to the sexual exploitation of children, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

Alan Thomas Rigby, 70, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge David S. Cercone. As part of the plea agreement in the case, Rigby agreed to a sentence of 13 years in jail and lifetime supervised release.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Rigby possessed computer images depicting minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

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

Judge Cercone scheduled sentencing for April 16, 2018. The law provides for a total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

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

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

PITTSBURGH – Brad Lanese, 52, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been arrested and charged in a criminal complaint with one count of Using Interstate Commerce Facilities with the Intent to Commit a Murder for Hire, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

According to the criminal complaint, unsealed yesterday, defendant Brad Lanese and two associates – identified as C.B and his wife, L.D. - ran a large marijuana grow operation in Northern California. When Lanese and L.D. began having difficulties, Lanese was asked to leave the property. Back in Pittsburgh, Lanese contacted a confidential source for the Drug Enforcement Agency and enlisted that source to travel with him to Northern California in order to rob C.B. and L.D. of the profits from the marijuana grow operation.

On October 31, 2017, Lanese and the confidential source travelled to California. The next day, Lanese and the confidential source met with “Deeds,” a DEA operative acting in an undercover capacity who was to provide firearms and logistical support for the robbery. Lanese told “Deeds” that he no longer wanted to rob C.B., but wanted “Deeds” to murder someone instead. Lanese then hired “Deeds” to kill L.D. by suggesting that he inject L.D. with a fatal dose of heroin/fentanyl mix in the marijuana fields, and push L.D.’s body and car over the cliffs and into the Pacific Ocean. Lanese told “Deeds” that once L.D. was dead, he would be able to return to the marijuana grow operation and pay “Deeds” for the murder.

On November 14, 2017, back in Pittsburgh, Lanese confirmed to “Deeds” that he wanted L.D. to be murdered and agreed to pay $30,000 for the murder.

The defendant appeared on December 7 in federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Maureen P. Kelly. The government is seeking detention of the defendant pending trial. Lanese’s detention hearing is scheduled for December 12, 2017, at 10 a.m. in front of Judge Kelly.

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

Assistant United States Attorney Timothy M. Lanni is prosecuting this case. The Drug Enforcement Agency - Pittsburgh Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Pittsburgh Division, and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Agency - Santa Rosa, California Division, conducted the investigation that led to the complaint against Lanese. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California is also assisting in the prosecution of this case.

A criminal complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant may not be prosecuted unless, within 30 days, a grand jury has found probable cause to believe that he is guilty of an offense.

PITTSBURGH – A former resident of Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 180 months imprisonment, followed by seven years supervised release, on a charge of sex trafficking of a child, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak imposed the sentence on Ronald Kyle Hartman, 28, of New Castle, Pennsylvania.

According to information presented to the court, from August 14, 2016, to August 16, 2016, Hartman knowingly traveled to Ohio from Grove City, Pennsylvania, with a 14-year-old girl for the purposes of sex trafficking. Hartman advertised the juvenile’s prostitution services on backpage.com.

Judge Hornak at sentencing stressed the gravity of the offense and illustrated that if one were to look at offenses as a pyramid, this offense would be at the top of the pyramid.

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

Acting U.S. Attorney Soo C. Song commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Grove City Police for conducting the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Hartman.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by 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 better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A resident of Altoona, Pa. has been sentenced in federal court to 40 months in prison, placed on supervised release for life, and required to register as a sex offender on his conviction of possession of child pornography, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson imposed the sentence on Timothy Hufford, 56, of Altoona, Pa.

According to information presented to the court, on August 18, 2015, Hufford knowingly possessed pictures and videos in individual computer graphic files which were produced using prepubescent minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. The computer graphic files were shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce.

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

Ms. Song commended the Laurel Highlands Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police and Altoona Police Department for the investigation that led to the successful prosecution of Hufford.

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 better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A resident of Portage, Pa., pleaded guilty in federal court in Johnstown to charges of violating federal narcotics laws, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

Dawn M. Strayer, 36, of Portage, Pa., pleaded guilty to one count of the indictment before United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson.

In connection with the guilty plea, on May 18, 2016, Strayer distributed less than 100 grams of heroin.

Judge Gibson scheduled sentencing for April 5, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. The law provides for a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of $1,000,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

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

The Laurel Highlands Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Cambria County Drug Task Force conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Strayer.

PITTSBURGH – A resident of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania has been sentenced in federal court to 33 months incarceration and 3 years supervised release on his conviction of wire fraud, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

Senior United States District Judge Donetta W. Ambrose imposed the sentence on Golan Barak, 50, of Pittsburgh, PA.

According to the information presented to the court, between 2013 and 2016, Barak falsely induced foreign nationals, mostly of Israeli descent, to invest with him in real estate in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but fraudulently dissipated investors’ money for personal and business expenses, or to buy other properties, or to pay other investors. In particular, Barak defrauded two Israeli investors out of approximately $1,400,000 connected with the purchase of 12 pieces of real estate throughout the Pittsburgh area. The purchase money was used instead by Barak to purchase other properties, or for Barak’s expenses in his management company called Ergo Management.

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

Acting U.S. Attorney Soo C. Song commended the FBI for the investigation that led to the successful prosecution of Golan Barak.

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 60 months imprisonment, followed by five years supervised release, on a charge of possession of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer imposed the sentenced on Lance G. Gehring, age 48, of Neville Township, Pennsylvania.

According to information presented to the court, on March 10, 2016, Gehring knowingly possessed and knowingly accessed with intent to view images in computer graphic 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.

Assistant United States Attorney Shanicka L. Kennedy prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

Acting U.S. Attorney Soo C. Song commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office for conducting the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Gehring.

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 - A federal jury of 12 citizens from throughout the Western District of Pennsylvania unanimously found Maurice “Reese” Frezzell guilty of selling heroin, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

Maurice Frezzell, 34, of Monessen, Pennsylvania, was tried before United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

According to Assistant United States Attorney Ross E. Lenhardt, a federal prosecutor in the Violent Crime Section of the Office of the United States Attorney, the evidence presented at trial established that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has joined forces with many local and state law enforcement agencies in order to investigate allegations of heroin and opioid trafficking. These officers learned that Frezzell was selling heroin in the greater Washington County area and developed a Confidential Source to buy heroin directly from Frezzell on November 19, 2015.

After the verdict, Judge Schwab was informed that Frezzell has 15 separate convictions that include a prior federal drug dealing conviction and two other state drug dealing convictions. Frezzell’s criminal career began at the age of 12 with a sexual assault and has included two assaults on law enforcement and the illegal possession of a handgun with an obliterated serial number. Court records show that Frezzell is currently being supervised by the United States Probation Office after serving a previous federal prison sentence of 80 months and that Frezzell has additional drug charges pending as a result of a recent federal search warrant that revealed multiple different drugs in his residence.

Judge Schwab scheduled sentencing on this conviction for April 17, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 30 years in prison, a fine of up to $2,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based on the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, the court ordered that Deputy United States Marshals return the defendant to a federal holding facility. The defendant has also been ordered to remain incarcerated pending a violation hearing for committing his new drug crimes while he was on federal supervision.

A group of law enforcement officers from the DEA, the Monessen Police Department, the Canonsburg Police Department, the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Washington County District Attorney’s Office, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the IRS conducted the investigation that led to the arrest and conviction of Frezzell.

PITTSBURGH – A resident of Butler, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to six months of imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release on a conviction of embezzling from a federally insured bank, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon imposed the sentence on Keith A. Simpson, 60, of Butler, Pennsylvania.

According to information presented to the court, from around April 2014 until around April 2016, while serving as Chief Accounting Officer of West View Savings Bank, Simpson embezzled approximately $41,806.90 from his employer.

Assistant United States Attorneys David Lew and Lee J. Karl prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

Acting United States Attorney Song commended the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Office of Inspector General for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Simpson.

PITTSBURGH- A former resident of Braddock, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court in Pittsburgh to 9 years in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, on his conviction of robbery and bank robbery, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer imposed the sentence on Wallace Banks, age 35, formerly of Braddock, Pennsylvania.

According to information presented to the Court, on August 15, 2016, Banks robbed WesBanco Bank, located at 807 Middle Street, Pittsburgh, PA, of $880. In addition, on August 12, 2016, and again on August 16, 2016, Banks robbed Adult Mart, located at 346 Boulevard of the Allies, Pittsburgh, PA, obtaining a total of $408. Finally, on August 15, 2016, Banks robbed Huntington Bank, located at 650 Smithfield Street, Pittsburgh, PA, of $2,067. As part of his sentence, Banks is required to pay restitution to the victims of his crimes.

Assistant United States Attorneys Troy Rivetti and Rachael L. Dizard prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

Acting United States Attorney Song commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pittsburgh Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Wallace Banks.

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 60 months imprisonment followed by three years supervised release on his conviction of violating federal narcotics laws, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer imposed the sentence on John Calabro, 24, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

According to information presented to the court, in and around May 2015, Calabro attempted to possess with intent to distribute a quantity of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of ethylone, a Schedule I controlled substance.

Assistant United States Attorney Katherine A. King prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

Acting United States Attorney Song commended Homeland Security Investigations, Customs and Border Protection, and the Pennsylvania State Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Calabro.

PITTSBURGH - A former resident of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 57 months imprisonment, followed by five years supervised release, on a charge of possession of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

Senior United States District Judge Donetta W. Ambrose imposed the sentenced yesterday on Michael Allen Sanders, age 56, of Cheswick, Pennsylvania.

According to information presented to the court, on June 25, 2015, Sanders knowingly possessed and knowingly accessed with intent to view images in computer graphic 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.

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

Acting U.S. Attorney Soo C. Song commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office for conducting the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Sanders.

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 - One Allegheny County resident has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of violating the federal firearms and narcotics laws, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

The two-count superseding indictment, returned yesterday, named Michael Dillon Burrows, age 31, as the sole defendant.

According to superseding indictment presented to the court, on September 8, 2016, Burrows possessed a Smith & Wesson 38 special, .38 caliber revolver. Burrows has previously been convicted of a felony and is prohibited from possessing a firearm. The superseding indictment further charges that on September 8, 2016, Burrows possessed with the intent to distribute a quantity of fentanyl.

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

Assistant United States Attorney Stephen S. Gilson is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Adams Township Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the superseding indictment in this case. This case is being prosecuted under Project Safe Neighborhoods, a collaborative effort by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and communities to prevent, deter, and prosecute gun crime.

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

PITTSBURGH – A Pittsburgh resident has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges relating to Social Security fraud, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

The three-count indictment, returned yesterday, named Jennifer Neal, age 39, of Pittsburgh, as the sole defendant.

According to the Indictment, on or about July 29, 2013, Neal knowingly and willfully made two false statements material to her right to receive Supplemental Security Income benefits, by falsely stating that two minor children had lived with her from July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013. Additionally, between March 2012 and February 2017, Neal received and converted approximately $66,804.85 in Supplemental Security Income benefits to which she knew she was not entitled.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 20 years 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 Adam N. Hallowell is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

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

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

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court to a charge of violating federal narcotics laws, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

Jacob Palaski, 27, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to one count before Chief United States District Judge Joy Flowers Conti.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on or about July 9, 2016, Palaski distributed and possessed with intent to distribute a quantity of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance.

Judge Conti scheduled sentencing for March 23, 2018. The law provides for a total sentence of not more than 20 years in prison, a fine not to exceed $1,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Katherine A. King is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Peters Township Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Jacob Palaski.

PITTSBURGH - One resident of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on charges of bank robbery and Hobbs Act robbery, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

The two-count indictment, returned on Nov. 30, named Lamont Gates, 64, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment, on or about October 5, 2017, Gates robbed the Dollar General store located at 700 Penn Avenue, Wilkinsburg, PA 15221. The indictment further alleges that on or about October 12, 2017, Gates robbed PNC Bank, located at 701 Penn Avenue, Wilkinsburg, PA 15221. PNC Bank is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence at each count of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000.00, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Shanicka L. Kennedy is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Wilkinsburg 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.

PITTSBUGRH - One resident of New Castle, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating the federal robbery laws, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

The six-count indictment, returned on Nov. 30, named Eric Barbati, age 32, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment, on August 26, 2017, Eric Barbati robbed the BFS Foods Convenience Store, located at 1509 Wilmington Road, New Castle, PA 16105, of $292.00. Barbati then robbed 2 other convenience stores, the Red Apple Convenience Store (on August 31, 2017), located at 1010 Wilmington Avenue, New Castle, PA 16101, of $242.00; and the Market 24 Convenience Store (on September 4, 2017 and again on September 17, 2017), located at 719 W. Washington Street, New Castle, PA 16101, of $170.00 and $117.00. On September 5, 2017, Barbati also robbed the PNC Bank, located at 2470 E. State Street, Hermitage, PA 16148, of $2,702.00, and on September 11, 2017, he robbed the Huntington Bank, located at 108 S. Market Street , New Castle, PA 16142, of $1,641.00.

Barbati faces a total maximum sentence of not more than 20 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.

Assistant United States Attorney Timothy M. Lanni is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Hermitage Police Department, the New Wilmington Borough Police Department, the New Castle Police Department, and the Neshannock Township 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 - One resident of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of bank robbery and Hobbs Act robbery, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

The four-count indictment, returned yesterday, named Glenn Ford, age 58, formerly of Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment, on or about September 15, 2017, and again on or about September 28, 2017, Ford robbed Huntington Bank, located at 650 Smithfield Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. The indictment also alleges that on or about September 20, 2017, Ford robbed Citizens Bank, located at 2801 East Carson Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15203. Huntington Bank and Citizens Bank are each insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The indictment further alleges that on or about October 4, 2017, Ford robbed CoGo’s located at 2401 East Carson Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15203.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence at each count of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000.00, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Shanicka L. Kennedy is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of 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 – Five men have been indicted on charges of violating federal narcotics and firearms laws, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

The indictment, returned on Nov. 30, charges Don Juan Mendoza, age 38, of Lawrenceville, Georgia; Jamie Lightfoot, Jr., age 25, of, Verona, Pennsylvania; Pedro Alejandro Blanco, age 39, of Jacksonville, Florida; Brian Powell, age 39, of Jacksonville, Florida; and Troy Rowe, age 28, of Columbia, South Carolina, with conspiring to possess with intent to distribute and distribute of five kilograms or more of cocaine and less than 50 kilograms of marijuana. Additionally, Mendoza, Blanco, Rowe, and Powell are charged with possession with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and less than 50 kilograms of marijuana. Mendoza and Blanco are also charged with possessing a firearm by a convicted felon. Finally, all of the defendants are charged with possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

According to the previously filed criminal complaint, the defendants were part of a large-scale drug trafficking scheme. Brian Powell, Troy Rowe and Pedro Blanco were involved in the transport of an RV, registered to Mendoza’s mother, containing drugs from the Los Angeles area to the Penn Hills residence of Jamie Lightfoot, Jr. Don Juan Mendoza also arrived at the Lightfoot residence about the same time as the RV containing the drugs.

According to the complaint, a search of the RV revealed approximately 52 kilograms of cocaine, approximately 85 pounds of marijuana, and two firearms. The cocaine and marijuana were secreted in a compartment underneath the bunk beds in the RV. The two firearms were found in the same compartment as some of the cocaine and marijuana. The complaint also alleges that hundreds of thousands of dollars were recovered during a search of Lightfoot, Jr.’s residence.

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

Assistant United States Attorney Timothy M. Lanni is prosecuting this case. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police, with assistance from the South Strabane Police Department, the Elizabeth Borough Police Department, the Penn Hills Police Department and the Perryopolis Police Department, conducted the investigation that led to the Indictment in this case.

PITTSBURGH - One resident of Pittsburgh’s North Side has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on two charges, both being federal firearm violations, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

The two-count indictment, returned on Nov. 29, named Gerald Wayne Underwood, age 36, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment, on May 17, 2016, Gerald Wayne Underwood, a convicted felon, was in possession of a sawed-off shotgun, which was not registered in the National Firearms Registry to his name. Federal law prohibits possession of such firearms without registration, and federal law further prohibits an individual who has been convicted of a felony from possessing a firearm.

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

Assistant United States Attorney Stephen S. Gilson is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. This case is being prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a collaborative effort by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and communities to prevent, deter, and prosecute gun crime.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Bureau of Pittsburgh 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 Wilmerding, Pennsylvania, was sentenced in federal court on November 28, 2017 to one year and one day in prison as a result of again violating his federal supervision, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

Chief United States District Judge Joy Flowers Conti imposed the sentence on defendant Ondaryle Smith, who was initially sentenced to 10 years in prison and 5 years of supervision for his federal drug conviction. Smith later served an additional sentence of 2 years in prison and 3 years of supervision in 2014 for other violations of his supervision.

According to information presented to the court, while serving his most recent supervision, the defendant tested positive for cocaine and marijuana use, and later assaulted his girlfriend.

Chief Judge Conti also imposed a new period of 24 months of supervision by the United States Probation Office, to begin after Smith completes his most recent jail sentence.

Assistant United States Attorney Ross E. Lenhardt of the Violent Crimes Section prosecuted this case on behalf of the government and played the 911 recording for the Court. There, the defendant’s girlfriend is in obvious distress and states that Smith choked her, kicked her in the ribs, and hit her in the face. The prosecution also presented the Court with a picture of the victim’s facial injuries.

Acting United States Attorney Song commended the Allegheny County Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Smith.

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Northern Cambria, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court to a charge of violating federal narcotics laws, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

Brad Troup, 39, of Northern Cambria, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on January 13, 2016, Troup distributed and possessed with intent to distribute heroin. As a part of his guilty plea, Mr. Troup admitted that he caused the death of Jeremiah Huey, who had used heroin distributed by Troup.

Judge Conti scheduled sentencing for March 9, 2018. The law provides for a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Katherine A. King is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, along with the Pennsylvania State Police, the Offices of the District Attorneys of Allegheny and Indiana Counties, and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Brad Troup.

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Scottsdale, Arizona was indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of conspiracy, charges of introduction into interstate commerce, with the intent to defraud, misbranded drugs, and two charges of mail fraud, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

The four-count indictment, returned on Nov.28, named Keith Komar, 60, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment presented to the court, the defendant participated in a conspiracy that involved the illegal importation of prescription drugs and the illegal sale of those drugs to consumers in the United States. The importation and sale of prescription medication is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration pursuant to the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Federal law and regulation require that certain drugs, particularly dangerous drugs, contain certain warnings and only be administered under a doctor's care pursuant to a doctor's prescription. A drug is considered "misbranded" if, for example, the drug is sold without a prescription, if it fails to include the approved warnings, if the drug was not approved by the FDA, or if the drug is manufactured in a facility not approved by the FDA.

Through various websites, Komar advertised for sale to consumers in the United States various dangerous drugs that were sold without a prescription, were not administrated under the care of a doctor, did not provide the appropriate warnings, and were not manufactured in facilities approved by the FDA. The website included a numerous misrepresentations about the drugs and the companies involved in the fraud. Some of these misbranded drugs were sent through the Postal Service to consumers, including consumers in the Western District of Pennsylvania, directly from India as arranged by Komar.

The law provides for amaximum total sentence of 48 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000.00 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

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

The Food and Drug Administration - Office of Criminal Investigations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement/HomelandSecurity Investigations, Pennsylvania State Police and United States Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

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

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Uniontown, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal narcotic laws, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

Jamal Eddings, age 36, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge David C. Cercone. In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that from January 2010 to June 2015, in the Western District of Pennsylvania and elsewhere, Eddings conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute at least 100 grams of cocaine.

Judge Cercone scheduled sentencing for April 19, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Acting United States Attorney Song commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which led the multi-agency investigation of this case. The investigation also included the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Fayette County Drug Task Force, the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the United States Postal Inspection Service. Assistant United States Attorneys Heidi M. Grogan and Troy Rivetti prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

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 – A resident of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of receipt of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

Jeffrey John Valenta, age 56, of Jeannette, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to one count before Chief United States District Judge Joy Flowers Conti.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that in November 2010, the Pennsylvania State Police were conducting an undercover investigation into the Internet sharing of child pornography. In connection with the investigation, the state police obtained evidence that led to Valenta’s home. Troopers executed a search warrant at the residence of Valenta on January 6, 2011. He admitted to collecting and trading child pornography. A forensic review of Valenta’s computer revealed 33 video files depicting child pornography.

Judge Conti scheduled sentencing for March 14, 2018. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Shanicka L. Kennedy is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

PITTSBURGH – A resident of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania has pleaded guilty in federal court in Pittsburgh on charges of wire fraud and income tax evasion, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

Rocco Panucci, 53, of Greensburg, PA, pleaded guilty to two counts before United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab.

According to the information presented to the court, the victim in this case is Chestnut Ridge Golf, L.P. ("Chestnut"), 132 Pine Ridge Road, Blairsville, Pennsylvania, 15717, a golf and resort conference center. In September 2007, Chestnut retained the defendant for an annual salary of $100,000, plus approximately $21,000 of benefits, to function as the chief executive and finance officer. Panucci was responsible for the day-to-day operations until he was dismissed on December 17, 2012, by reason of the conduct these charges are based upon. Panucci used his fiduciary position to cause Chestnut to incur a loss of approximately $354,072 to benefit himself and his family. For example, $20,740.92 of Chestnut monies were diverted for college tuition for Panucci’s children, and $139,183.62 was diverted for personal travel, leisure, dining and entertainment. Panucci directed that an American Express credit card in the name of Chestnut be sent to his home address so that none of the itemized statements were seen by anyone at Chestnut. When it was time to pay the American Express charges, Panucci provided the Chestnut in-house bookkeeper his handwritten lists of what appeared to be legitimate expenditures, which in truth were fabrications to cover what Panucci had charged on the card for personal items.

Judge Schwab scheduled the sentencing for April 4, 2018. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 40 years in prison, a fine of $1,250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

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

The Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations conducted the investigation leading to the information in this case.

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to one charge of violating the Hate Crimes Prevention Act, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

Jeffrey Allen Burgess, age 55, of Pittsburgh, PA, pleaded guilty to one-count before United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer.

According to information presented to the Court, on or about November 22, 2016, Burgess violated the Hate Crimes Prevention Act by willfully causing bodily injury to A.M. because of A.M.’s actual and perceived race, color, and national origin.

Judge Fischer scheduled sentencing for March 30, 2018 at 4:45 p.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorneys Cindy K. Chung and Rachael L. Dizard and Civil Rights Division Trial Attorney Tona Boyd are prosecuting this case.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bethel Park Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Burgess.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, waived prosecution by Indictment and pleaded guilty to an Information in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on a charge of Possession of a Stolen Firearm, and was sentenced to 42 months imprisonment followed by 3 years supervised release, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak imposed the sentence on Richard Graves, age 35, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

According to the information provided to the Court, on or about April 15, 2016, Graves knowingly possessed a stolen firearm.

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

This case is being prosecuted under Project Safe Neighborhoods, a collaborative effort by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and communities to prevent, deter, and prosecute gun crimes. Acting U.S. Attorney Song commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, and the Penn Hills Police Department, for conducting the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Graves.

ERIE, Pa. - A resident of Erie, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Erie on charges of violating federal laws relating to the sexual exploitation of children, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

The two-count indictment named Jonathan Scott Boynton, 29, of Erie, Pennsylvania, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment presented to the court, Boynton received and possessed computer images and movies depicting prepubescent minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 40 years in prison, a fine of $500,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

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

The Department of Homeland Security Investigations 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 in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of Willful Violation of an OSHA Regulation Causing the Death of an Employee, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

Wayne A. George, d/b/a A Rooter Man of Pittsburgh, LLC, pleaded guilty yesterday to one count before United States Magistrate Judge Cynthia R. Eddy.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was told that Wayne A. George, d/b/a A Rooter Man of Pittsburgh, LLC, employed an individual who died as a result of willful violation of standards promulgated which requires employers to take protective measures against cave-ins before permitting their employees to work in trenches.

On September 28, 2015, a 21-year-old Rooter Man employee, Jacob Casher, was killed when the trench he was working in collapsed at a worksite in Penn Township, Butler County. Mr. Casher was helping to replace a sewer line 11 feet below the surface in unstable soil with no cave-in protection, at the direction of his supervisor, Wayne George.

Judge Eddy scheduled sentencing for February 21, 2018. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of six months in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

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

The U.S. Department of Labor, Office of the Regional Solicitor, conducted the investigation leading to the information in this case.

An indictment was unsealed today against Wu Yingzhuo, Dong Hao and Xia Lei, all of whom are Chinese nationals and residents of China, for computer hacking, theft of trade secrets, conspiracy and identity theft directed at U.S. and foreign employees and computers of three corporate victims in the financial, engineering and technology industries between 2011 and May 2017.  The three Chinese hackers work for the purported China-based Internet security firm Guangzhou Bo Yu Information Technology Company Limited (a/k/a “Boyusec”).

 

Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security Dana J. Boente, Acting U.S. Attorney Soo C. Song for the Western District of Pennsylvania and Special Agent in Charge Robert Johnson of the FBI’s Pittsburgh Division announced the charges.

 

The indictment alleges that the defendants conspired to hack into private corporate entities in order to maintain unauthorized access to, and steal sensitive internal documents and communications from, those entities’ computers.  For one victim, information that the defendants targeted and stole between December 2015 and March 2016 contained trade secrets.

 

“Once again, the Justice Department and the FBI have demonstrated that hackers around the world who are seeking to steal our companies’ most sensitive and valuable information can and will be exposed and held accountable,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Boente.  “The Justice Department is committed to pursuing the arrest and prosecution of these hackers, no matter how long it takes, and we have a long memory.”

 

“Defendants Wu, Dong and Xia launched coordinated and targeted cyber intrusions against businesses operating in the United States, including here in the Western District of Pennsylvania, in order to steal confidential business information,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Song.  “These conspirators masked their criminal conspiracy by exploiting unwitting computers, called ‘hop points,’ conducting ‘spearphish’ email campaigns to gain unauthorized access to corporate computers, and deploying malicious code to infiltrate the victim computer networks.”

 

“In order to effectively address the cyber threat, a threat that respects no boundaries and continues to grow in both its scope and complexity, law enforcement must come together and transcend borders to target criminal actors no matter where they are in the world,” said Special Agent in Charge Johnson.

 

Summary of the Allegations

 

According to the allegations of the Indictment:

 

Defendants Wu, Dong, Xia, and others known and unknown to the grand jury (collectively, “the co-conspirators”) coordinated computer intrusions against businesses and entities, operating in the United States and elsewhere. To accomplish their intrusions, the co-conspirators would, for example, send spearphishing e-mails to employees of the targeted entities, which included malicious attachments or links to malware.  If a recipient opened the attachment or clicked on the link, such action would facilitate unauthorized, persistent access to the recipient’s computer.  With such access, the co-conspirators would typically install other tools on victim computers, including malware the co-conspirators referred to as “ups” and “exeproxy.”  In many instances, the co-conspirators sought to conceal their activities, location and Boyusec affiliation by using aliases in registering online accounts, intermediary computer servers known as “hop points” and valid credentials stolen from victim systems. 

 

The primary goal of the co-conspirators’ unauthorized access to victim computers was to search for, identify, copy, package, and steal data from those computers, including confidential business and commercial information, work product, and sensitive victim employee information, such as usernames and passwords that could be used to extend unauthorized access within the victim systems.  For the three victim entities listed in the Indictment, such information included hundreds of gigabytes of data regarding the housing finance, energy, technology, transportation, construction, land survey, and agricultural sectors. 

 

Defendants:  At all times relevant to the charges, the Indictment alleges as follows

 

• Wu Yingzhuo, aka “mxmtmw,” “Christ Wu” and “wyz,” was a Chinese national and resident of Guangzhou.  Wu was a founding member and equity shareholder of Boyusec.
• Dong Hao, aka “Bu Yi,” “Dong Shi Ye” and “Tianyu,” was a Chinese national and resident of Guangzhou.  Dong was a founding member and equity shareholder of Boyusec, who held the title of “Executive Director and Manager.”
• Xia Lei, aka “Sui Feng Yan Mie,” was a Chinese national and resident of Guangzhou.  Xia was, at certain times relevant to the charges, an employee of Boyusec.

 

Victims: Moody’s Analytics, Siemens AG (“Siemens”) and Trimble, Inc. (“Trimble”).

 

Time period: As alleged in the Indictment, the conspiracy began at least as early as 2011 and continued to May 2017.

 

Crimes: Eight counts as follows (all defendants are charged in all counts).

 

Count(s)

Charge

Statute

Maximum Penalty

1

Conspiring to commit computer fraud and abuse

18 U.S.C. § 1030(b)

10 years

2

Conspiring to commit trade secret theft

18 U.S.C. §§ 1832(a)(5)

10 years

3

Wire fraud

18 U.S.C. § 1343

20 years

4-8

Aggravated identity theft

18 U.S.C. §§ 1028A(a)(1), (b), (c)(4), and 2

2 years (mandatory consecutive)

 

Any sentence will be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

 

Summary of Defendants’ Conduct Alleged in the Indictment

 

Defendant

Victim

Criminal Conduct

Wu

Trimble

 

In 2015 and 2016, Trimble was developing a Global Navigation Satellite Systems technology designed to improve the accuracy of location data on mobile devices.  In January 2016, while this project was in development, Wu accessed Trimble’s network and stole files containing commercial business documents and data pertaining to the technology, including Trimble trade secrets.  In total, between December 2015 and March 2016, Wu and the other co-conspirators stole at least 275 megabytes of data, including compressed data, which included hundreds of files that would have assisted a Trimble competitor in developing, providing and marketing a similar product without incurring millions of dollars in research and development costs.

Dong

Siemens

 

In 2014, Dong accessed Siemens’s computer networks for the purpose of obtaining and using employees’ usernames and passwords in order to access Siemens’ network. In 2015, the co-conspirators stole approximately 407 gigabytes of proprietary commercial data pertaining to Siemens’s energy, technology and transportation businesses.

Xia

Moody’s Analytics

 

In or around 2011, the co-conspirators accessed the internal email server of Moody’s Analytics and placed a forwarding rule in the email account of a prominent employee.  The rule directed all emails to and from the employee’s account to be forwarded to web-based email accounts controlled by the conspirators.  In 2013 and 2014, defendant Xia regularly accessed those web-based email accounts to access the employee’s stolen emails, which contained proprietary and confidential economic analyses, findings and opinions.

 

An indictment is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

 

The FBI, Naval Criminal Investigative Service and Air Force Office of Special Investigations conducted the investigation that led to the charges in the indictment. 

 

The government’s case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James T. Kitchen of the Western District of Pennsylvania, and Cyber Counsel Jessica Romero and Trial Attorney Jennifer Kennedy Gellie of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.

WASHINGTON – An indictment was unsealed today against Wu Yingzhuo, Dong Hao and Xia Lei, all of whom are Chinese nationals and residents of China, for computer hacking, theft of trade secrets, conspiracy and identity theft directed at U.S. and foreign employees and computers of three corporate victims in the financial, engineering and technology industries between 2011 and May 2017. The three Chinese hackers work for the purported China-based Internet security firm Guangzhou Bo Yu Information Technology Company Limited (a/k/a “Boyusec”).

Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security Dana J. Boente, Acting U.S. Attorney Soo C. Song for the Western District of Pennsylvania and Special Agent in Charge Robert Johnson of the FBI’s Pittsburgh Division announced the charges.

The indictment alleges that the defendants conspired to hack into private corporate entities in order to maintain unauthorized access to, and steal sensitive internal documents and communications from, those entities’ computers. For one victim, information that the defendants targeted and stole between December 2015 and March 2016 contained trade secrets.

“Once again, the Justice Department and the FBI have demonstrated that hackers around the world who are seeking to steal our companies’ most sensitive and valuable information can and will be exposed and held accountable,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Boente. “The Justice Department is committed to pursuing the arrest and prosecution of these hackers, no matter how long it takes, and we have a long memory.”

“Defendants Wu, Dong and Xia launched coordinated and targeted cyber intrusions against businesses operating in the United States, including here in the Western District of Pennsylvania, in order to steal confidential business information,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Song. “These conspirators masked their criminal conspiracy by exploiting unwitting computers, called ‘hop points,’ conducting ‘spearphish’ email campaigns to gain unauthorized access to corporate computers, and deploying malicious code to infiltrate the victim computer networks.”

“In order to effectively address the cyber threat, a threat that respects no boundaries and continues to grow in both its scope and complexity, law enforcement must come together and transcend borders to target criminal actors no matter where they are in the world,” said Special Agent in Charge Johnson.

Summary of the Allegations

According to the allegations of the Indictment:

Defendants Wu, Dong, Xia, and others known and unknown to the grand jury (collectively, “the co-conspirators”) coordinated computer intrusions against businesses and entities, operating in the United States and elsewhere. To accomplish their intrusions, the coconspirators would, for example, send spearphishing e-mails to employees of the targeted entities, which included malicious attachments or links to malware. If a recipient opened the attachment or clicked on the link, such action would facilitate unauthorized, persistent access to the recipient’s computer. With such access, the co-conspirators would typically install other tools on victim computers, including malware the co-conspirators referred to as “ups” and “exeproxy.” In many instances, the co-conspirators sought to conceal their activities, location and Boyusec affiliation by using aliases in registering online accounts, intermediary computer servers known as “hop points” and valid credentials stolen from victim systems.

The primary goal of the co-conspirators’ unauthorized access to victim computers was to search for, identify, copy, package, and steal data from those computers, including confidential business and commercial information, work product, and sensitive victim employee information, such as usernames and passwords that could be used to extend unauthorized access within the victim systems. For the three victim entities listed in the Indictment, such information included hundreds of gigabytes of data regarding the housing finance, energy, technology, transportation, construction, land survey, and agricultural sectors.

Defendants: At all times relevant to the charges, the Indictment alleges as follows

• Wu Yingzhuo, aka “mxmtmw,” “Christ Wu” and “wyz,” was a Chinese national and resident of Guangzhou. Wu was a founding member and equity shareholder of Boyusec.
• Dong Hao, aka “Bu Yi,” “Dong Shi Ye” and “Tianyu,” was a Chinese national and resident of Guangzhou. Dong was a founding member and equity shareholder of Boyusec, who held the title of “Executive Director and Manager.”
• Xia Lei, aka “Sui Feng Yan Mie,” was a Chinese national and resident of Guangzhou. Xia was, at certain times relevant to the charges, an employee of Boyusec.
   

Victims: Moody’s Analytics, Siemens AG (“Siemens”) and Trimble, Inc. (“Trimble”).

Time period: As alleged in the Indictment, the conspiracy began at least as early as 2011 and continued to May 2017.

Crimes: Eight counts as follows (all defendants are charged in all counts).

Count(s) Charge Statute Maximum Penalty 1 Conspiring to commit
computer fraud and abuse 18 U.S.C. § 1030(b) 10 years 2 Conspiring to commit
trade secret theft 18 U.S.C. §§ 1832(a)(5) 10 years 3 Wire fraud 18 U.S.C. § 1343 20 years 4-8 Aggravated identity theft 18 U.S.C. §§ 1028A(a)(1),
(b), (c)(4), and 2 2 years (mandatory
consecutive

Any sentence will be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

Summary of Defendants’ Conduct Alleged in the Indictment

Defendant Victim Criminal Conduct Wu Trimble In 2015 and 2016, Trimble was developing a Global Navigation Satellite Systems technology designed to improve the accuracy of location data on mobile devices. In January 2016, while this project was in development, Wu accessed Trimble’s network and stole files containing commercial business documents and data pertaining to the technology, including Trimble trade secrets. In total, between December 2015 and March 2016, Wu and the other coconspirators stole at least 275 megabytes of data, including compressed data, which included hundreds of files that would have assisted a Trimble competitor in developing, providing and marketing a similar product without incurring millions of dollars in research and development costs. Dong Siemens In 2014, Dong accessed Siemens’s computer networks for the purpose of obtaining and using employees’ usernames and passwords in order to access Siemens’ network. In 2015, the co-conspirators stole approximately 407 gigabytes of proprietary commercial data pertaining to Siemens’s energy, technology and transportation businesses. Xia Moody's Analytics In or around 2011, the co-conspirators accessed the internal email server of Moody’s Analytics and placed a forwarding rule in the email account of a prominent employee. The rule directed all emails to and from the employee’s account to be forwarded to web-based email accounts controlled by the conspirators. In 2013 and 2014, defendant Xia regularly accessed those webbased email accounts to access the employee’s stolen emails, which contained proprietary and confidential economic analyses, findings and opinions.

An indictment is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

The FBI, Naval Criminal Investigative Service and Air Force Office of Special Investigations conducted the investigation that led to the charges in the indictment.

The government’s case is being prosecuted by Cyber Counsel Jessica Romero and Trial Attorney Jennifer Kennedy Gellie of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney James T. Kitchen of the Western District of Pennsylvania.

PITTSBURGH - A Pittsburgh resident has been sentenced in federal court to 150 months’ imprisonment on his convictions of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute more than one kilogram of heroin and conspiracy to commit money laundering, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer imposed the sentence on Marieo Everett, age 33, of Pittsburgh, PA.

According to information presented to the court, from April through August 2016, Marieo Everett was intercepted over a DEA wiretap conspiring with others to possess with intent to distribute and distribute heroin. He also conspired with others to launder the proceeds of the heroin trafficking conspiracy.

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

Acting United States Attorney Song commended the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, and the Pennsylvania State Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Everett. 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 – An Allegheny County resident has been sentenced in federal court to 18 months’ imprisonment on her convictions of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute a quantity of heroin and conspiracy to commit money laundering, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer imposed the sentence yesterday on Brianna Timber, age 23, of Duquesne, PA.

According to information presented to the court, from April through August 2016, Timber was intercepted over a DEA wiretap conspiring with others to possess with intent to distribute and distribute heroin. She also conspired with others to launder the proceeds of the heroin trafficking conspiracy.

Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Fischer 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.

Acting United States Attorney Song commended the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, and the Pennsylvania State Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Timber. 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 – Romel Wilson was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison for trafficking heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine base in April 2015, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

Wilson, age 34, formerly of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was sentenced yesterday by United States District Court Judge Donetta W. Ambrose. Judge Ambrose ordered that Wilson serve six years of supervised release after he is released from prison. Wilson was previously convicted four times in four separate cases in Pennsylvania state court of trafficking heroin and crack cocaine. Information was provided to the Court in conjunction with Wilson’s federal sentencing that he continued to distribute a mixture of heroin and fentanyl in April 2015 despite the fact that he was aware that the mixture had recently caused at least one of his customers, as he put it, to go “out.”

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

The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation leading to the conviction in this case.

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania has been sentenced in federal court to 65 months’ imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release on his conviction of violation federal firearms laws, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

Chief United States District Judge Joy Flowers Conti imposed the sentence on Andrew Jones, 40.

Jones had previously been convicted by a federal jury of the crime of possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. In addition, information was presented to the court that the firearm had been reported stolen prior to the time that Mr. Jones possessed it. Federal law prohibits a person convicted of a crime punishable by in excess of one year imprisonment from possessing a firearm or ammunition.

Assistant United States Attorneys Rachael Dizard and Katherine A. King prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

Acting United States Attorney Song commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Jones.

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Homestead, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 21 months in prison on his conviction of federal firearm offenses, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

Chief United States District Judge Joy Flowers Conti imposed the sentence yesterday on Michael Horvwalt, 31, of Homestead, Pennsylvania.

According to information presented to the court, on November 26, 2016, the defendant was stopped by a Munhall Police Officer who found a loaded 40 caliber pistol under the driver seat of the vehicle which was registered to the defendant. On December 1, 2016, the defendant confessed to Special Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), that he possessed the firearm.

On December 4, 2016, the defendant was seen on surveillance video where approximately 45 gun shots were exchanged between multiple people. Surveillance video was reviewed and revealed that there was a white male, who resembled the defendant, exiting the driver seat of a vehicle that was registered to the defendant. The individual in the surveillance footage was seen firing shots from a firearm in his possession. The vehicle in the incident was the same vehicle in which the defendant was driving on November 26, 2016, when he was stopped by Munhall Police.

On December 5, 2016, police executed a search warrant at the defendant’s house looking for the firearm seen in the surveillance video. The police did not locate the firearm in the home, however they found a 30-30 caliber hunting rifle under his bed and approximately five other firearms in the home he shares with his mother. The Pennsylvania Game Commission provided information confirming that the defendant purchased a hunting license in 2009, despite his felony convictions in 2006, 2008 and later in 2015.

Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Conti stated that 21 months in jail, followed by 24 months of supervision by the United States Probation Office was sufficient but not greater than necessary, given the circumstances of this case and the prior record of Horvwalt.

Assistant United States Attorney Ross E. Lenhardt of the Violent Crimes Section prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

Acting United States Attorney Song commended the Munhall Police Department and the ATF for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Horvwalt.

ERIE, Pa. - A resident of Erie, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of false income tax return and aid or assist false or fraudulent document, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

Yalonda Ballard, 29, pleaded guilty to eleven counts before United States District Judge David C. Cercone.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Ballard prepared false federal income tax returns for herself, friends and others referred to her for calendar years 2012, 2013 and 2014.

Judge Cercone scheduled sentencing for April 16, 2018. The law provides for a total sentence of 42 years in prison, a fine of $2,750,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, the court continued Ballard on bond.

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

The Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Ballard.

ERIE, Pa. - A resident of Erie, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

Brian Alex Vergotz, 50, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge David S. Cercone.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that from in and around May 2015, to in and around March 2016, Vergotz and a co-defendant engaged in a scheme to defraud auto loan providers by using straw purchasers to buy cars from Vergotz knowing that the vehicles would not actually be in the possession of the straw purchasers. Vergotz and a co-defendant also falsified the loan applications to make the straw purchasers appear more credit worthy.

Judge Cercone scheduled sentencing for April 16, 2018. The law provides for a total sentence of 30 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, the court continued Vergotz on bond.

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

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police and the Erie Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Vergotz.

ERIE, Pa. - A resident of Erie, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 4 years probation on his conviction of bank robbery, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

United States District Judge David S. Cercone imposed the sentence on Eric S. Chadwick, 32.

According to information presented to the court, on February 19, 2015, Chadwick and a co-defendant were involved in the robbery of $1,565 from the First National Bank, located at 3310 West 26th Street, Erie, Pennsylvania. Chadwick has an untreatable form of cancer.

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

Acting United States Attorney Song commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Millcreek Township Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Chadwick.

PITTSBURGH – A Fayette County resident of has been sentenced in federal court to two years probation with four months home detention on his conviction of theft of government property, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

Chief United States District Judge Joy Flowers Conti imposed the sentence on James Morrison, 37, of Ohiopyle, PA.

According to the information presented to the court, Morrison obtained $15,630 in SSI disability payments from November of 2012 to July of 2014 and in October and November of 2014, when he was employed and concealed his wages from the Social Security Administration by failing to report them and by falsely representing that he was not working.

Assistant United States Attorney Paul E. Hull prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

The Acting U.S. Attorney commended the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of James Morrison.

PITTSBURGH – A resident of Washington County, Pennsylvania has been sentenced in federal court in Pittsburgh to two years probation, restitution in the amount of $105,906, and fine of $3,000, on his conviction of willful failure to file income tax returns, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

United States District Judge David S. Cercone imposed the sentence on Rodney J. Williams, of Washington County.

According to the information presented to the court, Williams failed to file tax returns in 2009, 2010 and 2011.

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

Acting U.S. Attorney Song commended the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Rodney J. Williams.

PITTSBURGH - A resident of the state of Florida has been sentenced in federal court to three years probation, two months of which shall be served at a Community Corrections Center and four months of which shall be served on home detention, restitution in the amount of $14,992.96, jointly and severally with her co-defendant, Gean Carlos Del Valle-Barquin, on her conviction of conspiracy, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon imposed the sentence on Jeisy Camejo-Escandell, 31, of Miami, FL.

According to the information presented to the court, Camejo-Escandell and her conspirator Gean Carlos Del Valle-Barquin arrived in Pittsburgh on June 25, 2015 for the purpose of using counterfeit credit cards to make purchases of merchandise at the outlet stores in Washington and Grove City on June 26, 2015.

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

Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song commended the Inspectors from the United States Postal Inspection Service along with agents from Homeland Security who, as part of the Western Pennsylvania Financial Crimes Task Force (WPFCTF), conducted the investigation that led to the successful prosecution of Camejo-Escandell. The WPFCTF was established as a collaborative, multi-agency effort to effectively combat financial crimes, including identity fraud, in Western Pennsylvania. Partnering in this effort are the United States Attorney's Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania, the United States Secret Service, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Department of Homeland Security, the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office, the Allegheny County Police Department, the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and the Pennsylvania State Police.

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of federal firearms violations, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

The two-count second superseding indictment, returned on November 14, named Richard Graves, 35, of Pittsburgh, PA, as the sole defendant.

According to the second superseding indictment, on December 12, 2015, and April 15, 2016, Richard Graves, a convicted felon, was in possession of firearms and ammunition. Federal law prohibits an individual who has been convicted of a felony from possessing a firearm or ammunition.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 15 years and up to life in prison, an unlimited fine, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. This case is being prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a collaborative effort by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and communities to prevent, deter, and prosecute gun crime.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Penn Hills Police Department, and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police conducted the investigation leading to the Second Superseding Indictment in this case.

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

PITTSBURGH – A former Pittsburgh police sergeant was sentenced to 27 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $900.23 in restitution, for deprivation of rights under color of law, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon imposed the sentence on Stephen Matakovich, 48, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In calculating the guideline range term of imprisonment in this case, Judge Bissoon found that Stephen Matakovich obstructed justice by testifying falsely in justification of the force he used against the victim.

According to evidence presented at trial in May, on or about Nov. 28, 2015, Matakovich, a police officer of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, willfully deprived Gabriel Despres, then 19, by punching, pushing and repeatedly striking Despres, without justification, thereby causing bodily injury to Despres. The incident, which was captured on video, occurred outside of Heinz Field on Pittsburgh’s North Side during high school football playoffs.

Acting U.S. Attorney Song stated, ““The use of criminal, excessive force by police undermines the safety of men and women in law enforcement, erodes public trust and discourages cooperation by witnesses. This defendant’s violent assault of a 19-year-old and subsequent false testimony, as found by the court, were worthy of a 27-month term of imprisonment.”

"Police officers who abuse the substantial authority they are given not only violate the law, but also undermine the ability of all of the hardworking, responsible officers who serve our community and who strive every day to earn the public trust and promote a culture of fairness, professionalism and respect for the law in their dealings with others," said Robert Johnson, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Pittsburgh Field Office. "It's a sad day when a uniformed police officer crosses the line from being a police officer to a criminal defendant and is sent to prison for violating the constitutional rights of a citizen. The sentence handed down by the Court reflects that no one is above the law, and no one has the right to take the law into their own hands."

Assistant United States Attorneys Cindy K. Chung and Stephen S. Gilson prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

Acting U.S. Attorney Song commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police for conducting the investigation that led to the successful prosecution of Matakovich.

PITTSBURGH – Two Allegheny County brothers have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh and charged with a violation of the federal narcotics laws, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

The one-count indictment, returned on November 14, named the defendants as:

• Rondell Lawrence, 28, of Wilmerding, PA; and
• Ronnell Lawrence, 31, of McKeesport, PA.
   

According to the indictment, on or about July 11, 2017, the defendants possessed with the intent to distribute 40 grams or more of a mixture containing fentanyl and heroin.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than five years in prison and up to 40 years in prison, a fine of up to $5,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Timothy M. Lanni is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Narcotics Enforcement Team (DANET), and the Pittsburgh Bureau of 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 citizen of Mexico has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of reentry of removed alien, Acting States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

The one-count indictment named Mauro Cantera-Camacho, 43, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment, the defendant, who was previously removed from the United States on December 14, 1999, was found in Butler, Pennsylvania on May 7, 2017, without having applied for or received permission to reenter the United States from the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

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

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

The Department of Homeland Security conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

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

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A resident of Johnstown, Pa., pleaded guilty in federal court in Johnstown to a charge of violating federal narcotics laws, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

Ava Blackwell, 24, of Johnstown, Pa. pleaded guilty to one count of the indictment before United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson.

In connection with the guilty plea, from Aug. 25, 2016, through Sept. 14, 2016, Blackwell conspired with a co-defendant to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute less than 100 grams of heroin.

Judge Gibson scheduled sentencing for February 20, 2018, at 1:30 p.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

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

The Laurel Highlands Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Cambria County Drug Task Force, conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Blackwell.

ERIE, Pa. - A former resident of Powder Springs, Georgia has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Erie on a charge of failure to register under SORNA, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

The one-count indictment named Yecart Treson Brundidge, 24, as the sole defendant.

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

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

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

The United States Marshal’s Service, the Erie Police Department and the Millcreek Township 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.