PITTSBURGH – A resident of Penn Hills, PA, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
Jerome Frank Brown, age 50, pleaded guilty to two counts before United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on August 19, 2021 Brown had possessed a total of 14 kilograms of fentanyl and $136,000 in cash, in addition to a firearm and ammunition. The Court was informed that Drug Enforcement Administration agents and task force officers executed search warrants on Brown’s vehicle, his apartment, and a nearby storage unit. DEA personnel recovered one kilogram of fentanyl from Brown’s vehicle, approximately three more kilograms from his apartment, along with the cash and a firearm. When DEA agents searched Brown’s storage unit, they recovered 10 more kilograms of fentanyl.
Judge Ranjan scheduled sentencing for June 13, 2022 The law provides for a total sentence of at least 15 years to life in prison, a fine of $10,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Pending sentencing, the court ordered that the defendant remain detained.
Assistant United States Attorney Douglas C. Maloney is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Jerome Brown.