Indiana Township Woman Accused of Killing FBI Special Agent Charged with Violating Federal Drug and Firearms Laws

United States Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan announced today that Christina Marie Korbe of Glenshaw, Pennsylvania was charged in a superseding indictment by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Korbe previously was charged with the murder and assault of Samuel Hicks, Special Agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, as well as various federal firearms violations. The superseding indictment reasserts those charges; it also charges violations of the federal drug laws and additional federal firearms crimes.

The nine-count superseding indictment named Korbe, age 40.

According to the superseding indictment presented to the court, on or about November 19, 2008, in the Western District of Pennsylvania, Korbe, with malice aforethought, killed Samuel Hicks, Special Agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, while he was engaged in his official duties. Also on that date, Korbe, by use of a dangerous weapon, forcibly assaulted, resisted, opposed, impeded, intimidated, and interfered with Samuel Hicks, Special Agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, while he was engaged in his official duties.

The superseding indictment further charges that from in or around 1990 and continuing thereafter until on or about November 19, 2008, Korbe conspired with others to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. Also, on or about November 19, 2008, Korbe possessed with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base, and a quantity of powder cocaine.

The superseding indictment further charges Korbe with using, carrying, and discharging a firearm—that is a .38 caliber, silver Taurus Ultra-Lite revolver, serial number SH57418—during and in relation to the aforementioned crimes of violence and the aforementioned drug trafficking crimes and possessing said firearm in furtherance of the crimes.

Finally, the superseding indictment charges Korbe with possessing a firearm while being an unlawful user of controlled substances (cocaine and vicodin) and aiding and abetting the possession of the aforementioned firearm by a convicted felon, that is, her husband, Robert Ralph Korbe. Robert Korbe has three prior state court felony drug-trafficking convictions.

Assistant United States Attorney Troy Rivetti, who presented the case to the grand jury, indicated that the law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 15 years and up to life in prison, a fine of $8,500,000, 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.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Allegheny County Homicide; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police; the Pennsylvania State Police; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office - Violent Crimes/Firearms Task Force; the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Department; the Allegheny County Police Department; the Allegheny County Adult Probation; the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, the United States Marshals Service; the Pennsylvania State Parole; the Indiana Township Police Department; the Shaler Police Department; and the Sharpsburg Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the superseding indictment in this case.

A superseding indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.