Chicago Man Pleads Guilty to Interstate Travel in Aid of Racketeering
| U.S. Attorney’s Office August 14, 2009 |
United States Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan announced today, August 17, 2009, that on August 14, 2009, Andrew Pearson, a resident of Chicago, Illinois, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of Interstate Travel in Aid of Racketeering.
Pearson, age 56, of Chicago, Illinois, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab.
In connection with the guilty plea, Assistant United States Attorney Craig W. Haller advised the court that on December 6, 2007, Pearson and co-defendant Cornelius Newbern, engaged in interstate travel and used a facility in interstate commerce with intent to commit a crime of violence to extort property from another person.
Judge Schwab scheduled sentencing for Pearson on December 18, 2009, at 9:30 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment followed by a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
The Pittsburgh Police Department, the Arnold Police Department, the Allegheny County and Westmoreland County District Attorneys’ Offices, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Chicago Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Pearson.