40 charged in Pittsburgh-area drug trafficking conspiracies

PITTSBURGH — After a lengthy investigation into drug trafficking in the Homewood section of the city of Pittsburgh and other communities in the greater Pittsburgh area, 40 people have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal narcotics and firearms laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced Friday.

On Tuesday, a federal grand jury issued one superseding indictment and five indictments, all related to one another, naming 35 residents of Western Pennsylvania, one resident of Cleveland, two residents of Clarksburg, West Virginia, and two residents of Southern California.

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"The law-abiding, hard-working people of Homewood deserve safe streets and peaceful neighborhoods, stated Hickton. “The goal of this investigation to disrupt and ultimately dismantle these gang-related drug distribution networks in Pittsburgh, in western Pennsylvania and throughout the country. "

"Today's operation, which was centered in the city of Pittsburgh's Homewood neighborhood, highlights the critical role our task forces play in combating heroin and cocaine trafficking and the violent criminal enterprises that attempt to take root in our neighborhoods," said Special Agent in Charge Scott S. Smith, of the FBI's Pittsburgh Field Office.  "Federal penalties for drug trafficking are severe, and the FBI will continue to work with our local, state and federal partners to stop the flow illegal drugs and to dismantle the violent criminal enterprises that facilitate the flow, as we have done here today.  Like our partners, the Pittsburgh Division of the FBI is committed to improving the quality of life in the communities we serve."

"The announced federal indictment and subsequent arrests sends a firm message to our City's youth not to join gangs and not to pursue a criminal way of life," said ATF Special Agent in Charge Sam Rabadi. "The arrests yesterday underscore ATF's continuing efforts to fight violent crime by working closely with our Federal, state and local partners, to remove violent drug dealers from our communities, and return gang-infested neighborhoods to our fellow citizens."

THE INDICTMENTS

The first indictment (superseding), containing two counts, named:

• Lionel Cannon, aka Cannon, 49, of Cleveland, OH, currently incarcerated;
• Cecil Pinnix, aka C-Bone, 45, of Pittsburgh, PA, currently incarcerated;
• Misha Cannon, 44, of San Bernardino, CA;
• Jason Hunter, aka Jay, 40, of Los Angeles, CA, currently incarcerated;
• Tieriq Pinnix, 21, of Pittsburgh, PA;
• Devonte White, 22, of Pittsburgh, PA;
• Ellis Harris, 44, of Pittsburgh, PA;
• Aaron Reed, aka Bean, 33, of Wilkinsburg, PA;
• Douglas Smith, Jr., aka Crush, 41, of Penn Hills, PA; and
• Gregory Price, 38, of aka Stink, Penn Hills, PA.

According to the 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, 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 and Douglas Smith, Jr. conspired to possess with intent to distribute and distribute 100 grams or more of heroin.

The law provides for a maximum sentence of not less than 10 years and up to life in prison, a fine of $10 million, 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.

The second indictment, containing three counts, named:

• Tracey Yancey, 52, of Pittsburgh, PA;
• John Alexander, 50, of Pittsburgh, PA;
• Andre Collington, 43, of Pleasant Hills, PA;
• David Irwin, 43, of White Oak, PA;
• Abdul Boyd, 38, of Penn Hills, PA;
• Brittanie Dickerson, 25, of Penn Hills, PA;
• Lavon Hudgins, aka Lavaughn Hudgins, 44, of Wilkinsburg, PA;
• Sidney Pinnix, 48, of Pittsburgh, PA;
• Lamaca Davis, 42, of Pittsburgh, PA; and
• Edwina Yancey, aka Edwina Brown, 30, 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 cocaine; Tracey Yancey, John Alexander, David Irwin and Abdul Boyd 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, Tracey Yancey, a convicted felon, unlawfully possessed a firearm.

Also according to the indictment, on July 28, Edwina Yancey falsified of 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 million, 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.

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.

The third indictment, containing one count, named:

• John Alexander, 50, of Pittsburgh, PA;
• Andre Collington, 43, of Pleasant Hills, PA;
• Roxanne Thompson, 26, of Pittsburgh, PA;
• Mark Spearman, 33, of Pittsburgh, PA;
• Harold Neal, 53, of Pittsburgh, PA;
• Larry Washington, 63, of Wilkinsburg, PA; and
• Cora Everett, 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 five years and up to 40 years in prison, a fine of $5 million, or both.

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

The fourth indictment, containing three counts, named:

• Abdul Qawwee Daniels, aka Qawwee, 38, of Monroeville, PA;
• Eddie Garrett, aka Eddie Garrett, Jr., 43, of Clarksburg, WV;
• David Earl Hamilton, 45, of Clarksburg, WV;
• Kadesha Marie Mitchell, 37, of Pittsburgh, PA; and
• Brian Torrey Smith, 22, of Swissvale.

According to the indictment, from in and around December 2013, and continuing to in and around June 2014, defendants Abdul Daniels, David Earl Hamilton, Kadesha Marie Mitchell and Brian Torrey Smith conspired to possess with intent to distribute and distribute crack cocaine.

Abdul Daniels, David Earl Hamilton, and Kadesha Marie Mitchell are charged with conspiring to possess with intent to distribute and distribute 280 grams or more of crack cocaine.

Also according to the indictment, on or about March 20, defendants Eddie Garrett and David Earl Hamilton possessed with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of crack cocaine.

Also according to the indictment, on or about May 30, defendant Brian Torrey Smith possessed with intent to distribute crack cocaine.

The law provides for a maximum sentence of not less than 10 years and up to life in prison, a fine of $10 million, 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.

The fifth indictment, containing four counts, named:

• Carlos M. White, Jr., 26, of Pittsburgh, PA (currently incarcerated).

According to the indictment, from in and around December 2013, and continuing thereafter to in and around March 2014, Carlos M. White, Jr. conspired to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin.

Also according to the indictment, White, Jr. possessed with intent to distribute and distributed heroin on Jan. 29, Feb.10 and March 6.

The law provides for a maximum sentence of not less than five years and up to 40 years in prison, a fine of $5 million, 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.

The sixth indictment, containing nine counts, named:

• Antwon Lamar Richards, 29, of Pittsburgh, PA;
• Christopher James Brooks, 32, of Pittsburgh, PA;
• Altony Boyd, aka Bobby Lee Boyd, aka Pooh Hard, 35, of Pittsburgh, PA;
• Gaston Pleas Bradshaw, 27, of Pittsburgh, PA;
• Allen T. Finley, aka Torri Finley, aka T-Boy, 39, of Penn Hills, PA;
• Kenneth Marcel Higginbotham, 38, of Washington, PA;
• Hasan Sharif Reed, aka Nas, 36, of Coraopolis, PA;
• Antwon Lamar Stanton, aka Twon, 35, of Pittsburgh, PA; and
• Shaey Lee Williams, 23, aka Shiz, of Swissvale, PA.

According to the indictment, from in and around October 2013, and continuing thereafter to in and around April 2014, the defendants conspired with one another to possess with intent to distribute and distribute 500 grams or more of powder cocaine, and 280 grams or more of crack cocaine.

Also according to the indictment, defendants Christopher James Brooks, Altony Boyd, Hasan Sharif Reed and Antwon Lamar Stanton conspired to possess and carry firearms in furtherance and during and in relation to, that drug trafficking crime.

Also according to the indictment, on November 26, 2013, defendant Christopher James Brooks possessed with intent to distribute and distributed 28 grams or more of crack cocaine and possessed with intent to distribute and distributed crack cocaine on Oct. 8, 2013, Oct. 14, 2013, Oct. 24, 2013, Feb. 4, 2014, and Feb. 12, 2014.

Also according to the indictment, on Oct. 8, 2013, defendant Altony Boyd possessed with intent to distribute and distributed crack cocaine.

Also according to the indictment, on Dec. 5, 2013 defendants Allen T. Finley and Hasan Sharif Reed possessed with intent to distribute and distributed crack cocaine.

Finally, on Feb. 4 and February 12 defendant Gaston Pleas Bradshaw possessed with intent to distribute and distributed crack cocaine.

The law provides for a maximum sentence of not less than 10 years and up to life in prison, a fine of $10 million, 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 Troy Rivetti and Tonya Sulia Goodman are prosecuting these cases on behalf of the government.

The FBI, the FBI Greater Pittsburgh Safe Street Task Force, 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 these cases.

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

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