Braddock Drug Dealer Sentenced

PITTSBURGH—A former resident of Braddock, Pennsylvania has been sentenced in federal court to 37 months in prison followed by four years of supervised release on her conviction of violating federal drug laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

United States District Judge Joy Flowers Conti imposed the sentence on Simeania Dar-Rae Young, 38, on Feb. 4, 2011.

The prosecution of this case is the result of a multi-jurisdictional task force investigation coordinated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which focused on drug trafficking activity in and around the Braddock area in western Pennsylvania. Based on a Title III wiretap from January 2008, through September 2008, surveillance, controlled purchases, and other investigative techniques, law enforcement agents identified the existence of several overlapping and interrelated drug distribution networks operating in the area. Approximately 50 defendants were charged in four separate but related indictments as a result of this investigation. The indictment in which Young was charged involves the drug trafficking activities of an indicted co-conspirator and his associates.

The conspirator was identified as a major cocaine supplier for the Braddock area. Throughout the investigation, he obtained multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine from Houston, Texas to be transported to western Pennsylvania. For example, on April 17, 2008, the conspirator and his courier were arrested en route to Houston with $217,000 in their vehicle. On June 11, 2008, FBI agents tracked the courier as he traveled from Houston to western Pennsylvania and coordinated his arrest in Columbus, Ohio. At the time of the arrest, the courier had eight kilograms of cocaine in the vehicle he was driving. It was determined that the conspirator supplied many of the individuals in the Braddock area.

If the case had proceeded to trial, the government would have introduced telephone calls between two drug dealers from April 3 and 4, 2008. During the calls, the seller discussed sending someone to collect cash from the buyer. He clarified that the person would be a “she” and that she would be there in two minutes. The following day, the buyer and the seller spoke again. The seller told the buyer that the same person who delivered money the night before would bring “the whole one,” referring to a kilogram of powder cocaine. On April 4, 2008, agents conducting surveillance observed Young driving a black Chevrolet Impala. The buyer approached her car, and took the kilogram of cocaine from her trunk.

In support of the crack cocaine amount attributable to Young, the government would have played calls between a crack cocaine supplier and Young. On April 24, 2008, Young contacted the supplier and told him that she did not want to “miss the boat.” In follow-up conversations, she asked the supplier if she could get the “whole thing” for 35. The supplier advised her that the best that he could do was "37," referring to the sale of one-eighth kilogram of crack cocaine for $3,700. The following day, Young asked the supplier whether the cocaine was “done,” meaning cooked into crack, and whether he was going to do it. He affirmed and she directed him to bring an extra “Q,” or quarter-ounce, when he delivered the crack. Later, on April 25, 2008, they had a detailed conversation about how she needed an “afie,” referring to an eighth of a kilogram (125 grams). They affirmed the price of $3,700, over Young’s objection. In another conversation on April 25, 2008, the supplier and Young agreed to meet, and the supplier told Young to bring her scale. The supplier was surveilled on the way to the meeting. Young told the supplier that she was in an Impala (the same car observed on April 4, 2008).

On May 1, 2008, Young contacted the crack supplier for the “same thing” and they discussed where and when to meet. On July 1, 2008, Young and another drug supplier had a long discussion during which Young stated that she got “22” and asked whether the supplier would let her get an “afie.”

Also at trial, the government would have presented witnesses who would testify to other deliveries or transactions of crack and powder cocaine in which Young delivered or held crack and powder for various drug dealers.

First Assistant United States Attorney Soo C. Song and Assistant United States Attorney Ross E. Lenhardt prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

U.S. Attorney Hickton commended The Federal Bureau of Investigation Greater Pittsburgh Safe Streets Task Force (GPSSTF), the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Violent Crime and Firearm Task Force (VCFTF), which is comprised of investigators from the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Department, the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, and the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Young.