Five McKeesport Residents Charged in Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl Analogue

PITTSBURGH, PA – Five residents of McKeesport, Pennsylvania, have been charged in a superseding indictment by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh with violating federal narcotics and firearms laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

The five-count superseding indictment, returned on October 9, named: Nathan Hampton, age 29; Travis Robertson, age 28; Leslie Jackson, age 54; Sacha Nesbeth, age 26; and her mother, Juliet Nesbeth, age 45, as defendants.

According to the superseding indictment, on or about September 8, 2017, Hampton, Robertson, Jackson and Sacha Nesbeth conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a quantity of methoxyacetyl fentanyl. The indictment also charges Hampton, Robertson, Jackson, and Sacha Nesbeth with attempting to possess with intent to distribute a quantity of methoxyacetyl fentanyl. Sacha and Juliet Nesbeth are charged with using or maintaining a drug involved premises. Hampton is further charged with possession of ammunition by a convicted felon. Robertson is further charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

For the drug charges, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 20 years in prison, a fine not to exceed $1,000,000, or both. For the charge of maintaining a drug involved premises, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of not more than $500,000, or both. For the charge of felon in possession of ammunition, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 10 years in prison, a fine of not more than $250,000, or both. For the charge of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than five years and up to life in prison, a fine of not more than $250,000, 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 defendants.

Assistant United States Attorney Robert C. Schupansky is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

This prosecution is part of a long-term investigation by the FBI Greater Pittsburgh Safe Streets Task Force (GPSSTF), which targeted a large scale Drug Trafficking Organization operating in Butler, Beaver and Allegheny Counties. The GPSSTF is comprised of dedicated law enforcement

professionals from the Wilkinsburg Police Department, Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Bureau of Narcotics Investigations, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, Allegheny County Police Department, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and the FBI. The GPSSTF and the United States Attorney’s Office, Western District of Pennsylvania, would like to recognize the significant contributions made to this investigation by the Pennsylvania State Police, United Sates Postal Inspection Service, Cranberry Township Police Department and the New Brighton Police Department. The Department of Homeland Security Investigators also assisted in the investigation leading to the Superseding Indictment in this case.

This investigation was funded by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.

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