3 Pennsylvania Residents Indicted on Drug and Firearms Offenses

PITTSBURGH – Three Pennsylvania residents have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on charges of violating the federal narcotics and firearms laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

The 11-count Superseding Indictment named Mark Carter, age 33, formerly of Butler, Pennsylvania, Brandon Morris, aka Bopp, age 34, of Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, and Janell Hunter, age 23, of Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, as defendants.

According to the Superseding Indictment, on dates from January 2016 to June 2016, defendant Morris possessed with intent to distribute heroin, crack cocaine and fentanyl, and conspired with defendant Carter to possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine and heroin. The Superseding Indictment also alleges that Morris, a former felon was in possession of a firearm.

The Superseding Indictment further alleges that on dates from June to July 2016, defendant Carter possessed with intent to distribute heroin and crack cocaine and conspired with defendant, Hunter to possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine and heroin. The Superseding Indictment asserts that the amount of crack cocaine attributable to defendants Morris and Carter is 28 grams or more.

For Morris and Carter, 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. For Hunter, 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, if any, of the defendants.

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 Superseding Indictment in this case.

A Superseding Indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.