News Release [printer friendly version]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 11, 2006

32 Indicted on Federal Drug Charges

(Pittsburgh, PA) - A federal grand jury in Pittsburgh has indicted 32 southwestern Pennsylvania residents for violating the federal drug laws, United States Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan announced today. The defendants are named in six separate indictments that are the result of a long-term, multi-agency investigation. The indictments were returned May 1 and 2, 2006, and unsealed this week.

"These indictments disrupt several significant drug trafficking operations that have been responsible for flooding our eastern city and suburban neighborhoods with powder cocaine and crack cocaine," stated Ms. Buchanan. "Prosecutors and investigators look forward to bringing these alleged traffickers to justice, so that we can further reduce the availability of illegal drugs and the resulting violence in the Greater Pittsburgh area."

According to DEA Special Agent in Charge James M. Kasson, "This significant investigation resulted in the dismantlement of a major drug trafficking organization. It was shown through this case that joint agency cooperation proved to be an effective weapon in attacking this closely knit drug organization. The Pittsburgh community will be safer because of this cooperative law enforcement effort."

Pittsburgh Mayor Bob O'Connor added his congratulations to the law enforcement agencies involved in this investigation and prosecution. "This is the type of cooperation that will make Pittsburgh a safer city," said Mayor O’Connor. "These arrests demonstrate the success that results when everyone works together."

According to Ms. Buchanan, a 35-count indictment names the following individuals:

1. Walter Rodriguez Oliver, a/k/a Big Cutty, age 32, of 6406 Leechburg Road, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania;
2. Shawn Omar Hall, a/k/a S, a/k/a SH, age 34, of 124 Sycamore Drive, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania;
3. William C. Abramovitz, a/k/a White, age 37, of 835 Highview Street, Apartment No. 1, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania;
4. Roderick F. Bailey, age 34, of 832 Gray Street, McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania;
5. Drekie Bush, a/k/a Dreike Bush, a/k/a Drekie Bailey, age 37, of 714 Cherokee Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania;
6. Eric R. Cooper, age 37, of 1016 Findley Drive East, Apartment No. 1, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania;
7. Kevin N. Cooper, age 35, of 408 Hochberg Road, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania;
8. Rachel D. Dlubak, age 21, of 3311 Conway Wallrose Road, Sewickley, Pennsylvania;
9. Andre L. English, age 35, of 314 Delaney Drive, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania;
10. Lamont Ford, a/k/a Yellow, a/k/a Mont, age 34, of 1312 Center Street, Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania;
11. Demetrius D. Herring, a/k/a Meatball, age 37, of 1310 Jeffers Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania;
12. David C. Jones, age 27, 137 Rose Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania;
13. Clarence M. Logan, a/k/a Pops, age 32, of 419 South Avenue, Apartment No. 2, Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania;
14. Tearle D. Lowe, a/k/a T, a/k/a T-Lowe, age 28, of 7060 Saltsburg Road, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania;
15. Phillip R. McDougald, a/k/a Phillip R. Jones, a/k/a Pooh-B, a/k/a Bad Lieutenant, age 32, of 1200 Strahley Place, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania;
16. Keith M. Meade, a/k/a Showtime, a/k/a Woo, a/k/a Wootie, age 35, of 1314 Worthington Avenue, Clairton, Pennsylvania;
17. Brian M. Oliver, a/k/a B, age 29, of 10214 Frankstown Road, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania;
18. Sheldon D. Oliver, a/k/a Smoke, age 29, of 7864 Mark Drive, Verona, Pennsylvania;
19. Eric J. Payne, age 48, of 154 Crescent Hills Drive, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania;
20. Keith R. Phillips, age 36, of 1117 James Street, Apartment No. 2, Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania;
21. Jumii Muquett Powers, age 32, of 411 Limehollow Road, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania;
22. Rashaw J. Randolph, a/k/a Shaw, age 31, of 804 Sweetleaf Drive, Monroeville, Pennsylvania;
23. Oliver E. Sherwood, Jr., a/k/a Ollie, age 36, of 8224 Perchment Street, Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania; and
24. Robert A. Stenhouse, age 33, of 8624 Westwood Drive, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as defendants.

According to the indictment presented to the court, from in or around 2004 and continuing thereafter to on or about March 30, 2006, in the Western District of Pennsylvania and elsewhere, Walter Oliver, Hall, Abramovitz, Bailey, Bush, Eric Cooper, Kevin Cooper, Dlubak, English, Ford, Herring, Jones, Logan, Lowe, McDougald, Meade, Brian Oliver, Sheldon Oliver, Phillips, Powers and Stenhouse conspired with one another and with others to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. In addition, Hall is charged with distribution and possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine on or about February 3, 2006. Also on that date, Jones is charged with possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.

Furthermore, Walter Oliver, Hall, Abramovitz, Bailey, Bush, Eric Cooper, English, Jones, Logan, Meade, Brian Oliver, Sheldon Oliver, Payne, and Sherwood are charged with specific distributions and/or possessions with intent to distribute cocaine on various dates between December 5, 2005 and February 23, 2006.

The indictment further charges Hall and Randolph with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of crack cocaine, from on or about March 23, 2005 to on or about March 24, 2005. Finally, Randolph is charged with distribution and possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of crack cocaine on March 24, 2005.

A nine-count indictment names five individuals, two of whom (Ford and Logan) were named in the previously detailed indictment:

1. Vernell Thompson, a/k/a V, a/k/a Big, a/k/a Nellie, age 27, of 222 McCutcheon Lane, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania;
2. Georgian Cotton, a/k/a Granny, age 29, of 222 McCutcheon Lane, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania;
3. Lamont Ford, a/k/a Yellow, a/k/a Mont, age 34, of 1312 Center Street, Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania;
4. Clarence M. Logan, a/k/a Pops, age 32, of 419 South Avenue, Apartment No. 2, Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania; and
5. Douglas William Ray, age 43, of 814 Wallace Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as defendants.

According to the indictment, from in or around November 2004, and continuing thereafter to on or about November 22, 2005, in the Western District of Pennsylvania, Thompson, Cotton and Ray conspired with one another and with others to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of crack cocaine. Also, on or about November 23, 2004, December 21, 2004, July 13, 2005, and October 17, 2005, Thompson distributed and possessed with the intent to distribute a quantity of crack cocaine. Furthermore, on or about November 4, 2005, Logan distributed and possessed with the intent to distribute five grams or more of crack cocaine. Also, on or about November 10, 2005, Ford distributed and possessed with the intent to distribute a quantity of crack cocaine. Finally, on or about November 4, 2005 and November 10, 2005, Thompson possessed with the intent to distribute crack cocaine.

In addition, a two-count indictment names:

1. Brandon L. Johnson, a/k/a Brandon Terry, age 30, of 7336 Idlewild Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and
2. Ladecha Washington, age 31, of 520 Grace Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as defendants.

The indictment alleges that on or about October 25, 2005, in the Western District of Pennsylvania, Johnson and Washington conspired to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine. Also on that same date, Johnson and Washington possessed with the intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine.

A three-count indictment names:

Theodore Maceo Matthews, a/k/a Maceo, age 35, of 2152 Mazette Place, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment, from on or about August 11, 2005 and continuing thereafter to on or about August 25, 2005, in the Western District of Pennsylvania, Matthews conspired with others to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute five grams or more of crack cocaine. In addition, on or about August 11, 2005 and August 25, 2006, Matthews distributed and possessed with the intent to distribute a quantity of crack cocaine.

Another three-count indictment names:

Ayodeji Young, age 28, of 7629 Bennett Avenue, Apartment No. 3, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as the sole defendant.

The indictment presented to the court alleges that on or about January 6, 2005, Young distributed and possessed with the intent to distribute a quantity of crack cocaine. Also, on or about February 23, 2005, and August 23, 2005, Young distributed and possessed with the intent to distribute five grams or more of crack cocaine.

Finally, a one-count indictment names:

Maurice Antaughn Bruce, age 25, formerly of 1402 North Homewood Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment, on or about November 9, 2004, in the Western District of Pennsylvania, Bruce distributed and possessed with the intent to distribute five grams or more of crack cocaine.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of ot less than ten years and up to life imprisonment, a fine of $4 million, or both, as to Walter Oliver, Hall, Abramovitz, Bailey, Bush, Eric Cooper, Kevin Cooper, Dlubak, English, Ford, Herring, Jones, Logan, Lowe, McDougald, Meade, Brian Oliver, Sheldon Oliver, Phillips, Powers, Randolph, Stenhouse, Thompson, Cotton, Ray and Matthews; ot less than five years and up to 40 years in prison, a fine of $2 million, or both, as to Young and Bruce; and up to 20 years in prison, a fine of $1 million, or both, as to Payne, Sherwood, Johnson and Washington.

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.

Most of the defendants named in the indictments have been arrested.

Assistant United States Attorneys Troy Rivetti and Charles A. (Tod) Eberle are prosecuting these cases. The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police conducted the investigation leading to indictment in these cases. Other agencies participating in the investigation and arrests include the Pittsburgh Safe Streets Task Force (FBI, Pittsburgh Police, Allegheny County District Attorney’s Investigations Unit, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office), the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, the West Mifflin Police Department, the Penn Hills Police Department, the Monroeville Police Department and the Verona Police Department.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.