PITTSBURGH—After a lengthy investigation into drug trafficking in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, 44 people—43 residents of Pennsylvania and one resident of New Jersey—were indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal narcotics and firearms laws. On May 21, 2014, a federal grand jury issued one superseding indictment and five indictments, all related to one another, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

“Heroin is a huge problem in Western Pennsylvania,” stated U.S. Attorney Hickton. “The prosecution of this gun-toting, drug trafficking conspiracy will disrupt a major heroin pipeline from Newark to our area. These conspirators brazenly sold their illegal drugs openly on the streets of our communities. Today they are out of business.”

According to Patrick Fallon, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation-Pittsburgh Office, “Today’s arrests are the result of a long-term, multi-agency investigation conducted by the Greater Pittsburgh Safe Streets Gang Task Force. As a result of the hard work and dedication exhibited by members of the task force, today we made dozens of arrests that will have a positive impact on the safety and quality of life in our local communities. We recognize, however, law enforcement is but one part of the multi-pronged effort to address the growing heroin epidemic impacting our community. We are keenly aware that in order to succeed in our efforts, the law enforcement community must continue to work together with the support and trust of the citizens we serve.”

Indictments:

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

• Keith Eutsey, 38, formerly of Nazareth, Pennsylvania, currently incarcerated;
• Che Hawkins, 35, formerly of Duquesne, Pennsylvania, currently incarcerated;
• Isaiah Cross, 24, formerly of Newark, New Jersey, currently incarcerated;
• Shaneeca Johnson, 31, of Duquesne, Pennsylvania;
• Rahde Williamson, 18, of Duquesne, Pennsylvania;
• Maurice Demery, 38, of West Mifflin, Pennsylvania;
• Shelby Jeffries, 31, of Munhall, Pennsylvania; and
• Rashawn Coward, 34, of McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania.

According to the indictment, from in and around January 2014 and continuing thereafter to in and around April 3, 2014, the defendants conspired with one another to possess with intent to distribute and distribute one kilogram or more of heroin; Keith Eutsey and Isaiah Cross are each charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of 100 grams or more of heroin; Che Hawkins is charged with possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin; and Isaiah Cross and Rahde Williamson are each charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute less than 100 grams of heroin.

The law provides for a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to a maximum total sentence of life in prison, a fine of $10,000,000, 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 second indictment, containing nine counts, named:

• Terrell Evans, 21, of Monroeville, Pennsylvania;
• Jamont Neal, 23, of McKeesport, Pennsylvania;
• Jordan Smith, 24, of Export, Pennsylvania;
• Brian Shunk, 28, of Claridge, Pennsylvania;
• Edward Lutz, 23, of Indiana, Pennsylvania;
• Courtney Sullivan, 31, of Indiana, Pennsylvania;
• Thomas Marks, Jr., 28, of Greensburg, Pennsylvania;
• Michael Lyons, 18, of Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania; and
• Edwin Williams, 24, of Verona, Pennsylvania.

According to the indictment, from in and around October 2013 and continuing thereafter to in and around May 2014, the defendants conspired with one another to possess with intent to distribute and distribute one kilogram or more of heroin; Terell Evans is charged with one count of employing or using a person under 18 years of age in drug operations and three counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute 100 grams of heroin; Brian Shunk, Edward Lutz, Courtney Sullivan, and Thomas Marks, Jr. are each charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute less than 100 grams of heroin.

The law provides for a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to a maximum total sentence of life in prison, a fine of $10,000,000, 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 third indictment, containing four counts, named:

• Anthony Berry, Jr., 21, formerly of Duquesne, Pennsylvania, currently incarcerated;
• Shawn Whitley, Jr., 23, of Wilmerding, Pennsylvania;
• Donald Freeman, 24, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania;
• Darrell Heaps, 23, of Duquesne, Pennsylvania; and
• Melvin Calloway, 21, of Munhall, Pennsylvania.

According to the indictment, from in and around December 2013 and continuing thereafter to in and around March, 2014, the defendants conspired with one another to possess with intent to distribute and distribute one kilogram or more of heroin; Anthony Berry, Jr. is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute less than 100 grams of heroin and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; and Melvin Calloway is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute less than 100 grams of heroin.

The law provides for a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to a maximum total sentence of life in prison, a fine of $10,000,000, 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 five counts, named:

• Homer McClung, 27, of Wilkins Township, Pennsylvania;
• Brandon McWright, 26, of Wilkins Township, Pennsylvania;
• Lewis Van Burt III, 29, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania;
• Robert Dorsey, 20, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania;
• Samuel Brooks, 27, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and
• Robert Smiley, 23, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

According to the indictment, from in and around June 2013 and continuing thereafter to in and around May 2014, the defendants conspired with one another to possess with intent to distribute and distribute 100 grams or more of heroin; Robert Smiley is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute less than 100 grams of heroin, and Lewis Van Burt, III is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute 100 grams of heroin, one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, and one count of carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime and possession in furtherance thereof.

The law provides for a mandatory minimum of five years and up to a maximum total sentence of 40 years in prison, a fine of $5,000,000, 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 fifth indictment, containing seven counts, named:

• Paris Wilson, 22, of Monroeville, Pennsylvania;
• Quamar Linton, 28, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania;
• Miranda Rosenberger, 28, of Kittanning, Pennsylvania;
• Michael Cox, 38, of Kittanning, Pennsylvania;
• Shawn Ellis, Jr., 24, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania;
• William Smith, 32, of Ford City, Pennsylvania;
• Breya Bowles, 22, of Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania;
• Melvin Moore, 24, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania;
• Charles Blystone, 43, of Rural Valley, Pennsylvania;
• Salah Tinsley-Ewell, 21, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania;
• Travis Anthony, 27, of Kittanning, Pennsylvania; and
• Benton Nixon, 26, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

According to the indictment, from in and around October 2013 and continuing thereafter to in and around May 2014, Wilson, Linton, Rosenberger, Cox, Ellis, Jr., Smith, Bowles, Moore, Blystone, and Tinsley-Ewell conspired with one another to possess with intent to distribute and distribute one kilogram or more of heroin; Paris Wilson is charged with one count of employing or using a person under 18 years of age in drug operations; Travis Anthony is charged with one count of possession of a firearm by a drug user or addict; Melvin Moore, Charles Blystone, and Benton Nixon are each charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute less than 100 grams of heroin; and William Smith is charged with one count of carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime and possession in furtherance thereof.

The law provides for a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to a maximum total sentence of life in prison, a fine of $10,000,000, or both for Wilson, Linton, Rosenberger, Cox, Ellis, Jr., Smith, Bowles, Moore, Blystone, and Tinsley-Ewell; the law provides for a term of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 for Anthony; and the law provides for a term of up to 20 years in prison and $1,000,000 or both for Nixon. 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 sixth indictment, containing four counts, names:

• Dominique Harvey, 22, of Plum, Pennsylvania;
• Robert Hyatt, 28, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania;
• Kenneth Mitchell, 18, of Penn Hills, Pennsylvania; and
• Darrell Barham, 30, of Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania.

According to the indictment, from in and around June 2013 and continuing thereafter to in and around May 2014, the defendants conspired with one another to possess with intent to distribute and distribute one kilogram or more of heroin; Dominique Harvey is charged with one count of employing or using a person under 18 years of age in drug operations; Robert Hyatt is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute less than 100 grams of heroin; and one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.

The law provides for a mandatory minimum of ten years and up to a maximum total sentence of life in prison, a fine of $10,000,000 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.

Assistant United States Attorney Amy L. Johnston is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, 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, and the Pittsburgh Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

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