PITTSBURGH – A federal grand jury returned a five-count Superseding Indictment charging 20 members of a drug trafficking organization with trafficking significant quantities of cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today.
The Superseding Indictment charges the following individuals at Count One with conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, in the Western District of Pennsylvania and elsewhere, from in and around April of 2020 and continuing until on or about November 19, 2020:
Marcus Brown, age 33, of Washington, PA
Brandon Boone, age 38, of Washington, PA
Kenneth Brooks, Jr., age 27, of Washington, PA
Kevin Bush, age 51, of Washington, PA
Marc Cain, age 57, of Washington, PA
Brian Householder, age 57, of Greensburg, PA
Steve Law, IV, age 29, of Washington, PA
Princess Makokele, age 40, of Washington, PA
David McComb, age 32, of Coraopolis, PA
Steve Miller, age 48, of Allegheny, PA
Andrew Molinaro, age 42, of Canonsburg, PA
Johnnita Richardson, age 33, of Washington, PA
Warren Sadler, age 56, of Washington, PA
Matthew Spicer, age 50, of Canonsburg, PA
Patrick Ellis, age 47, of Washington, PA
The Superseding Indictment also charges the following individuals at Count Two with conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 280 grams or more of crack cocaine, in the Western District of Pennsylvania and elsewhere, from in and around June of 2020 and continuing until on or about October 27, 2020:
Marcus Brown, age 33, of Washington, PA
Brandon Boone, age 38, of Washington, PA
Kenneth Brooks, Jr., age 27, of Washington, PA
Michael Brown, age 56, of Brownsville, PA
Steve Law, IV, age 29, of Washington, PA
Princess Makokele, age 40, of Washington, PA
Michael Pusateri, age 39, of Washington, PA
Warren Sadler, age 56, of Washington, PA
At Count Three, the Superseding Indictment charges the following individuals with conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine, in the Western District of Pennsylvania, from in and around June of 2020 and continuing until in and around August of 2020:
Walter Brunson, Jr., age 51, of Pittsburgh, PA
Shawn McFarland, age 51, of Lawrence, PA
Matthew Spicer, age 50, of Canonsburg, PA
Bradley Stopperich, age 49, of Washington, PA
At Count Four, the Superseding Indictment charges the following individuals with conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute quantities of heroin and fentanyl, in the Western District of Pennsylvania and elsewhere, from in and around August of 2020 and continuing until on or about October 27, 2020:
Marcus Brown, age 33, of Washington, PA
Kenneth Brooks, Jr., age 27, of Washington, PA
Steve Law, IV, age 29, of Washington, PA
Finally, at Count Five, the Superseding Indictment charges Patrick Ellis, age 47, of Washington, PA, with possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, in the Western District of Pennsylvania, on or about November 19, 2020.
As to Counts One and Two, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than ten years to a maximum of life imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000,000, or both, as to each charged Defendant. As to Counts Three and Four, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than twenty years, a fine up to $1,000,000, or both, as to each charged Defendant. As to Count Five, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than five years to a maximum of forty years imprisonment, a fine of up to $5,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentences imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendants.
Assistant United States Attorneys Mark V. Gurzo and Jerome A. Moschetta are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) in Pittsburgh, PA led the multi-agency investigation that included members of the Pennsylvania State Police, United States Postal Inspection Service, Allegheny County Police Department, Allegheny County Port Authority Police Department, Allegheny County Sherriff’s Office, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Stowe Township Police Department, and North Versailles Police Department.
This prosecution is a result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles high-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten communities throughout the United States. OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
A superseding indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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