PITTSBURGH- Following the indictments of 40 defendants in
October 2014, a grand jury last week issued additional and superseding
indictments all relating to a lengthy investigation into drug trafficking in
the Homewood neighborhood Pittsburgh and other communities in the Greater
Pittsburgh area. On Feb. 27, 2015, a federal grand jury issued four related
superseding indictments and three new indictments adding an additional 14
defendants, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
“Maintaining the safety and security of our communities is
paramount to law enforcement at all levels, and we remain relentless in our
determination to bring to justice the violent criminals and drug traffickers
who threaten neighborhood stability,” said U.S. Attorney Hickton. “The
law-abiding residents of Homewood deserve to be free from fear of violent
activity and drug trafficking. We are committed to ensuring they enjoy that
freedom.”
“This long-term, multi-agency initiative centered in and
around Homewood and the City of Pittsburgh has led to the indictment of more
than 100 defendants, the seizure of more than $1 million as well as large
quantities of weapons and drugs,” added Scott S. Smith, Special Agent in Charge
of the FBI – Pittsburgh Division.
“ATF will continue to work side-by-side with our Federal,
State, and local law enforcement partners to terminate gang violence that is
often driven by the illegal drug trade”, said ATF Special Agent in Charge Sam
Rabadi. “Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods belong to its law-abiding residents, its
rightful residents, not to armed drug gangs.”
THE INDICTMENTS
The first indictment (second superseding), containing two
counts, named:
Lionel Cannon, 49,
of Cleveland, Ohio, currently incarcerated;
Cecil Pinnix, 45,
of Pittsburgh, PA, currently incarcerated;
Misha Cannon, 44,
of San Bernardino, CA, currently incarcerated;
Jason Hunter, 40,
of Los Angeles, CA, currently incarcerated;
Tieriq Pinnix, 21,
of Pittsburgh, PA;
Devonte White, 22,
of Pittsburgh, PA, currently incarcerated;
Ellis Harris, 45,
of Pittsburgh, PA, currently incarcerated;
Aaron Reed, 34, of
Wilkinsburg, PA, currently incarcerated;
Douglas Smith,
Jr., 43, of Penn Hills, PA, currently incarcerated;
Gregory Price, 38,
of Penn Hills, PA, currently incarcerated;
Anthony Donald,
47, of Pittsburgh, PA;
Michael Lyons, 39,
of Pittsburgh, PA; and
William Blair, 33,
of New Kensington, PA.
According to the second superseding indictment, from in and
around December 2013, and continuing thereafter to in and around August 2014,
in the Western District of Pennsylvania and elsewhere, with the exception of
William Blair, the defendants conspired to possess with intent to distribute
and distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. Also according to the
superseding indictment, during that same time frame, Lionel Cannon, Cecil
Pinnix, Ellis Harris, Douglas Smith, Jr., and William Blair conspired to
possess with intent to distribute and distribute 100 grams or more of heroin.
For all defendants except for William Blair, the law
provides for a maximum sentence of not less than 10 years and up to life in
prison, a fine of $10,000,000, or both. For Blair, the law provides for a
maximum sentence of not less than five years and up to 40 years in prison, a
fine of $5,000,000, or both.
The second indictment (superseding), containing three
counts, named:
Tracey Yancey, 52,
of Pittsburgh, PA;
John Alexander,
50, of Pittsburgh, PA, currently incarcerated;
Andre Collington,
43, of Pleasant Hills, PA, currently incarcerated;
David Irwin, 43,
of White Oak, PA, currently incarcerated;
Abdul Boyd, 38, of
Penn Hills, PA;
Brittanie
Dickerson, 25, of Penn Hills, PA;
Lavon Hudgins, 44,
of Wilkinsburg, PA;
Sidney Pinnix, 48,
of Pittsburgh, PA, currently incarcerated;
Lamaca Davis, 42,
of Pittsburgh, PA;
Edwina Yancey, 30,
of Pittsburgh, PA;
James McCray, 37,
of Pittsburgh, PA;
Keith Beck, 22, of
Penn Hills, PA;
Kelvin Whittle,
56, of Wilkinsburg, PA;
John Phillips, 34,
of Wilkinsburg, PA;
Damien Petty, 52,
of Verona, PA; and
Aaron Atkins, 33,
of Penn Hills, PA.
According to the indictment, from in and around December
2013, and continuing thereafter to in and around August 2014, the defendants
(not including Edwina Yancey) conspired to possess with intent to distribute
and distribute cocaine; Tracey Yancey, John Alexander, David Irwin, Abdul Boyd,
James McCray, and Aaron Atkins are charged with conspiring to possess with
intent to distribute and distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. Also
according to the indictment, on July 28, 2014, Tracey Yancey, a convicted felon,
unlawfully possessed a firearm. Also according to the indictment, on July 28,
2014, Edwina Yancey falsified a firearms purchase form in connection with the
purchase of that firearm (i.e., was involved in the straw purchase of the gun).
The law provides for a maximum sentence on the drug charges
of not less than five years and up to 40 years in prison, a fine of $2,000,000,
or both. The law provides for a maximum sentence on the firearms charges of up
to 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both.
The third superseding indictment, containing one count,
named:
John Alexander,
50, of Pittsburgh, PA, currently incarcerated;
Andre Collington,
43, of Pleasant Hills, PA, currently incarcerated;
Roxanne Thompson,
26, of Pittsburgh, PA;
Mark Spearman, 33,
of Pittsburgh, PA;
Harold Neal, 53,
of Pittsburgh, PA;
Larry Washington,
63, of Wilkinsburg, PA;
Cora Everett, 45,
of Pittsburgh, PA;
Roger Dorsey, 32,
of West Mifflin, PA; and
Paul Wheat, 42, of
Pittsburgh, PA
According to the indictment, from in and around December
2013, and continuing thereafter to in and around August 2014, the defendants
conspired to possess with intent to distribute and distribute crack cocaine.
John Alexander and Andre Collington are charged with conspiring to possess with
intent to distribute and distribute more than 28 grams of crack cocaine.
The law provides for a maximum sentence of not less than 5
years and up to 40 years in prison, a fine of $5,000,000, or both.
The fourth superseding indictment, containing four counts,
named:
Sekou Brooks, 38,
of Pittsburgh, PA;
Abdul Qawee
Daniels, 38, of Monroeville, PA;
Eddie Garrett, 43,
of Clarksburg, WV;
David Earl
Hamilton, 35, of Clarksburg, WV; and
Kadesha Marie
Mitchell, 37, of Pittsburgh, PA.
According to the superseding indictment, from in and around
December 2013, and continuing to in and around June 2014, in the Western
District of Pennsylvania and elsewhere, defendants Sekou Brooks, Abdul Daniels,
David Earl Hamilton, and Kadesha Marie Mitchell conspired to distribute and
possess with the intent to distribute 280 grams or more of crack cocaine. Also
according to the superseding indictment, on or about March 20, 2014, defendants
Eddie Garrett and David Earl Hamilton possessed with intent to distribute 28
grams or more of crack cocaine. Finally, on or about Aug. 19, 2014, Sekou
Brooks, a convicted felon, unlawfully possessed a firearm, and possessed with
intent to distribute quantities of crack cocaine and powder cocaine.
With the exception of defendant Garrett, the law provides
for a maximum total sentence of not less than 10 years and up to life in
prison, a fine of $10,000,000, or both. For defendant Garrett, the law provides
for a maximum total sentence of not less than 5 years and up to 40 years in
prison, a fine of $5,000,000, or both.
A fifth indictment, containing two counts, named Ronald
Broadus, 41, of Penn Hills, PA. According to the indictment, from on or about
May 1, 2014, and continuing thereafter to on or about May 28, 2014, Ronald
Broadus conspired to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute crack
cocaine and heroin. Also according to the indictment, the defendant conspired
with others to possess and carry a firearm in furtherance, and during and in
relation to, a drug trafficking crime.
The law provides for a maximum sentence of 50 years in
prison, a fine of $2,250,000, or both.
A sixth indictment, containing one count, named Dwayne
Allen, a/k/a Dewayne Allen, 40, of Pittsburgh, PA. According to the indictment
presented to the court, on or about Dec. 5, 2013, and Jan. 28, 2014, in the
Western District of Pennsylvania, Allen distributed and possessed with the
intent to distribute crack cocaine. In addition, on or about Feb. 14, 2014,
Allen distributed and possessed with the intent to distribute 28 grams or more
of crack cocaine.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less
than five years and up to 40 years in prison, a fine of $5,000,000, or both.
A seventh indictment, containing one-count, named William
Lowe, 36, 2006 Sonny Street, Pittsburgh, PA. According to the indictment
presented to the court, on or about Nov. 6, 2013, in the Western District of
Pennsylvania, Lowe distributed and possessed with the intent to distribute
crack cocaine.
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 individual defendant.
Assistant United States Attorneys Troy Rivetti and Tonya
Sulia Goodman are prosecuting these cases on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the FBI Greater
Pittsburgh Safe Streets Task Force, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco,
Firearms and Explosives and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Wilkinsburg
Police Department, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, Pennsylvania Office of
the Attorney General, Munhall Police Department, Duquesne Police Department, Monroeville
Police Department, Allegheny County Police Department, West Mifflin Police
Department, Bellevue Police Department, and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police
conducted the investigation leading to the indictments in this case
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed
innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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