New York Man Pleads Guilty in Cocaine Trafficking Conspiracy
| U.S. Attorney’s Office January 23, 2014 |
PITTSBURGH—A New York City man pleaded guilty in federal court to violating federal narcotic laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Tyrone Parker, 53, of New York, New York, pleaded guilty yesterday to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine before Senior United States District Judge Gustave Diamond. The court learned that Parker, in the fall of 2012, agreed to provide a Pittsburgh-based confidential source with cocaine and heroin. On December 6, 2012, Parker, acting together with co-defendant James Gray, drove two kilograms of cocaine towards Pittsburgh. The cocaine had been placed in Gray’s van. Both Parker and Gray were subject to traffic stops by Pennsylvania State Troopers, and found inside of Gray’s van was the agreed upon two kilograms of cocaine. James Gray has pleaded not guilty to the conspiracy charge against him.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence for Parker of not less than 10 years and up to life in prison, a fine of $8,000,000, 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. Judge Diamond scheduled sentencing for May 21, 2014.
Assistant United States Attorney Eric S. Rosen is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Tyrone Parker.