Three Charged with Narcotics and Firearms Offenses

PHILADELPHIA—David Pugh, Michael Parker, and Robert Weston were charged with narcotics and firearms offenses in an 11-count indictment unsealed today, announced United States Attorney Michael L. Levy. Specifically, the defendants were each charged with conspiracy to distribute oxycodone, alprazolam, codeine, and marijuana, and possession with intent to distribute those substances. Defendant Pugh was also charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Defendant Weston was additionally charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of narcotics.

The indictment charges that, on January 6, 2010, defendants Pugh and Parker engaged in a conspiracy to sell narcotics, and that in furtherance of that conspiracy and in order to avoid apprehension by the police, they stored narcotics and a firearm in a temporary stash house located at 80 E. Garfield Street in Philadelphia. In addition, the indictment charges, Pugh and Parker stored controlled substances, packaging materials and proceeds from the sale of controlled substances in a stash house located at 70 E. Garfield Street in Philadelphia, and Pugh possessed two firearms—a rifle and a shotgun with a scope—in furtherance of the drug conspiracy. The indictment charges that Robert Weston purchased narcotics from defendant Parker on January 6, 2010 and that he also possessed a firearm at that time.

INFORMATION REGARDING THE DEFENDANTS

If convicted on all counts, defendant Pugh faces a maximum possible sentence of lifetime imprisonment, a mandatory minimum sentence of five years’ imprisonment, a $2 million fine, a mandatory minimum of five years’ supervised release up to a maximum of lifetime supervised release, and a $600 special assessment. Defendant Parker faces a maximum sentence of 150 years’ imprisonment, a $2 million fine, a mandatory minimum of five years’ supervised release up to a maximum of lifetime supervised release, and a $500 special assessment. Defendant Weston faces a maximum sentence of 13 years’ imprisonment, a $500,000 fine, a maximum of three years’ supervised release, and a $200 special assessment.

This indictment is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, an initiative by the United States Attorney’s Office, all District Attorney’s Offices in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”), the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Philadelphia Police Department, and other law enforcement agencies, to identify and prosecute firearms offenders in federal court, where the defendants are likely to receive a substantial sentence upon conviction.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Philadelphia Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lauren M. Ouziel.