Three Mercer County Men Indicted in Pittsburgh for Violating Federal Laws

PITTSBURGH – Three Mercer County men have been charged in separate indictments with violating federal firearms and/or drug laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

The first indictment charges Diquan Crowder, 27, of Farrell, PA, with one count of violating federal firearms laws. According to the indictment, on Nov. 20, 2020, Crowder possessed a Zastava pistol after having been convicted of two drug-trafficking and gun felony crimes.

The second indictment charges Raymond Briskey, 35, of Sharon, PA, with violating federal drug and firearms laws. According to the indictment, on Oct. 21, 2020, Briskey possessed with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base, and possessed a firearm after a prior felony conviction and in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime on that date.

The third indictment, returned on Sept. 22, 2020 and unsealed yesterday, charges Dimetrius Morris, 36, of Farrell, PA, with violating federal drug and gun laws. According to the indictment, on Feb. 20, 2020, Morris possessed with intent to distribute cocaine, fentanyl and methamphetamine, as well as possessed a firearm after several felony convictions and in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime on that date.

Dimetrius Morris is a fugitive from justice. Anyone with information concerning his whereabouts should contact the FBI at 412-432-4000.

"Prosecuting drug dealers and those who illegally possess firearms has been a successful strategy for reducing crime in every western Pennsylvania county," said U.S. Attorney Brady. "District Attorney Peter Acker has been a valued partner in these efforts to remove violent offenders from our neighborhoods and make Mercer County a safer place."

"The Mercer County District Attorney’s Office and state and local law enforcement officials are extremely grateful for the assistance of U.S. Attorney Scott Brady and the Department of Justice in adopting these three cases and indicting these three individuals who were deeply involved in drug trafficking and related drug crimes. Raymond Briskey had been a fugitive from justice for over three years after failing to appear for sentencing for his earlier drug

dealing conviction," said Mercer County District Attorney Peter C. Acker. "We work closely with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI along with our Mercer County Drug Task Force and the PA Attorney General’s Narcotics Agents. That working relationship has been very beneficial to Mercer County and the federal penalties for convictions in these types of cases are far greater than the corresponding state penalties."

For Crowder, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to ten years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. For Briskey, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of at least five years and up to life in prison and a fine of up to $1,500,000. For Morris, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of at least five years and up to life in prison and a fine of up to $2,500,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendant(s).

Assistant United States Attorney Craig W. Haller is prosecuting these cases on behalf of the United States.

The Mercer County Drug Task Force and the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the return of the Indictments naming Crowder and Briskey.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Sharon Police Department, the Farrell Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation leading to the return of the Indictment naming Morris.

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