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Press Release

Delmont Man Sentenced to Prison for Role in California to PA Cocaine Trafficking Scheme

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Pennsylvania

PITTSBURGH - A Westmoreland County resident has been sentenced in federal court to 21 months’ imprisonment on his conviction of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak imposed the sentence on Tieriq Pinnix, 22, of Delmont, Pa.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that in 2013, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other agencies joined forces in a multi-agency wiretap investigation of drug trafficking and violence in the Homewood section of Pittsburgh. The interception of wire and electronic communications began in December 2013 and continued through the end of August 2014. During that timeframe, Tieriq Pinnix was intercepted over the wire conspiring with others, including his father, Cecil Pinnix, to possess with intent to distribute and distribute cocaine, which was shipped from California to the Western District of Pennsylvania through the United States Postal Service or commercial carrier.

Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Hornak stated that the sentence was sufficient but not greater than necessary to fulfill the goals of sentencing.

Assistant United States Attorney Tonya Sulia Goodman prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Greater Pittsburgh Safe Streets Task Force, Wilkinsburg Police Department, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, Munhall Police Department, Duquesne Police Department, Monroeville Police Department, Allegheny County Police Department, West Mifflin Police Department, Bellevue Police Department, and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Pinnix.

Updated March 17, 2016

Topic
Drug Trafficking