U.S. Attorney's Office
Public Affairs Officer Bradford Arick
(412) 576-9396
July 18, 2014

FBI Seeks the Public’s Assistance in Locating Five Fugitives Wanted on Federal Criminal Charges and Offers Up to $1,000 Reward for Information That Leads to the Arrest of the Fugitives

The FBI is seeking the public’s assistance in locating the following individuals who are wanted by the FBI for their alleged involvement in a heroin trafficking and distribution enterprise composed of members and associates of the Bricks R Us street gang, which operates in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. The FBI is offering a reward of up to $1,000 each for information that leads to the arrest of the fugitives listed below. The reward is available for 90 days.

Federal arrest warrants were issued for Thomas Marks, Jr.; Edwin Williams; Lewis Van Burt, III; Robert Smiley; and Darrell Barham on May 22, 2014, by the United States District Court, Western District of Pennsylvania. The specific charges are detailed below. Marks, Williams, Van Burt, Smiley, and Barhamshould be considered armed and dangerous and an escape risk.

“We know all too well the destructive effect that heroin and other drugs have on our neighborhoods, and we will continue to work with our partners to make this community a safer place,” said Special Agent in Charge Scott S. Smith of the FBI’s Pittsburgh Field Office. “I encourage anyone with information concerning the whereabouts of these individuals to call the FBI.”

On May 29, 2014, law enforcement personnel from over 14 federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies arrested 39 individuals for their alleged involvement in a heroin trafficking and distribution enterprise composed of members and associates of the Bricks R Us street gang. David J. Hickton, United State Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania; Patrick F. Fallon, Jr. Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Pittsburgh Field Office; and other law enforcement officials held a news conference on May 29, 2014, to announce the arrests, which resulted in the dismantling of several overlapping and interrelated heroin distribution networks operating in Southwestern Pennsylvania.

The five individuals identified below remain at large and are wanted by the FBI.

Subject Headshot

Thomas Marks, Jr.
Conspiracy to charges: possess with intent to distribute and distribution of one kilogram or more of heroin; possession with intent to distribute less than 100 grams of heroin

Subject Headshot

Edwin Williams
Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of one kilogram or more of heroin

Subject Headshot

Lewis Van Burt, III
Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of 100 grams or more of heroin; possession with intent to distribute less than 100 grams of heroin; possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon; carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime and/or possession in furtherance thereof

Subject Headshot

Robert Smiley
Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of 100 grams or more of heroin;
possession with intent to distribute less than 100 grams of heroin


Subject Headshot

Darrell Barham
Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of one kilogram or more of heroin

The May 29, 2014, arrests were the result of a long-term, multi-agency investigation conducted by the Greater Pittsburgh Safe Streets Gang Task Force (GPSSGTF) and the investigative partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Wilkinsburg Police Department, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, Allegheny County Police Department, Monroeville Police Department, Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General-Bureau of Narcotics Investigations, Munhall Police Department, Duquesne Police Department, West Mifflin Police Department, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, and Pennsylvania State Police.

In addition to the participation of law enforcement officers from the investigating agencies listed above, representatives from the Kittanning Police Department, Port Authority of Allegheny County Police Department, Penn Hills Police Department, U.S. Marshal Service, and Indiana Police Department also participated in the arrests of the 39 individuals on May 29, 2014.

Special Agent in Charge Scott S. Smith would like to thank all the GPSSGTF member agencies, as well as the agencies who participated in the arrests, for their outstanding efforts and assistance with this investigation.

An arrest warrant is based on an indictment or complaint, which is an accusation that a defendant has committed a violation of the federal criminal laws and, in itself, is not proof of the defendant’s guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until such time as they are adjudicated guilty in a court of law.

If you have any information concerning these individuals, please contact the FBI Pittsburgh Field Office at telephone number (412) 432-4000. Tipsters may remain anonymous.