Glenshaw Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Violating Federal Drug, Firearms, and Mail Fraud Laws

PITTSBURGH—A resident of Glenshaw, Pa., has been sentenced in federal court to 25 years (300 months) in prison, followed by 10 years’ supervised release, on his conviction of violating the federal drug, firearms, and mail fraud laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

United States District Judge Terrence F. McVerry imposed the sentence on Robert Ralph Korbe, age 41, in connection with three separate cases against him.

First, according to information presented to the court, from in or around October 2007, and continuing until in or around September 2008, in the Western District of Pennsylvania and elsewhere, Korbe conspired with others to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance.

Second, in August of 2008, Korbe was insured by Liberty Mutual in a homeowner’s insurance policy and a motorcycle insurance policy. On Aug. 26, 2008, Korbe contacted local police and Liberty Mutual and fraudulently reported that a burglary had occurred at his residence while he and his family were away on vacation. Korbe claimed that his motorcycle and various other items of personal property had been stolen in the burglary. As a result of Korbe’s fraudulent insurance claim, Liberty Mutual paid Korbe approximately $29,000.

Finally, on Nov. 19, 2008, Korbe illegally possessed four firearms and various ammunition, and he unlawfully possessed with the intent to distribute 360.5 grams of cocaine and 161.6 grams of cocaine base. Korbe—at that time—had three prior state court felony drug trafficking convictions. Earlier this year, Korbe pleaded guilty in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County to a fourth felony drug trafficking conviction stemming from his arrest on May 16, 2008, by local authorities. Federal law prohibits Korbe from possessing a firearm and/or ammunition.

Prior to imposing sentence, Judge McVerry noted Korbe’s lengthy and violent criminal history, resulting in his status as an Armed Career Criminal. Judge McVerry stressed that Korbe had lived a “life of crime,” and that “hopefully, this sentence will get your attention.”

Assistant United States Attorneys Troy Rivetti, Shaun E. Sweeney, and Craig W. Haller prosecuted these cases on behalf of the government.

U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Pennsylvania State Police, District Attorney’s Office - Violent Crimes/Firearms Task Force, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Department, Allegheny County Police Department, Allegheny County Adult Probation, Internal Revenue Service ‑ Criminal Investigation, United States Marshals Service, Shaler Police Department, Indiana Township Police Department, West Mifflin Police Department, Coraopolis Police Department, Jefferson Hills Police Department, Mount Lebanon Police Department, and the Pennsylvania State Parole for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Robert Korbe.