PITTSBURGH - An Allegheny County man has been sentenced in federal court to 120 months (10 years) imprisonment followed by five years supervises release on his conviction of violating federal drug trafficking laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
United States District Judge Terence F. McVerry imposed the sentence on Derrick Knox, 33, of East McKeesport, Pa.
According to information presented to the court, from in and around January 2011 and continuing thereafter to in and around June 2012, Knox conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute between 500 grams and two kilograms cocaine. Additionally, Knox sold cocaine to an undercover agent on four separate occasions between January 2011 and April 2011. Finally, during the execution of a search warrant at Knox’s residence on April 13, 2011, agents discovered approximately two ounces of cocaine, and $4,700 in U.S. currency.
The prosecution of Knox was the result of a long-term investigation that involved wiretaps on cell phones utilized by several members of the conspiracy. At the conclusion of the investigation, 20 defendants (including Knox) were charged in a large-scale cocaine conspiracy that operated between Warren, Ohio, and Washington, Pa. All 20 defendants have since pleaded guilty. The same investigation also resulted in the prosecution of 10 defendants charged in a large-scale heroin conspiracy that operated between Detroit, Michigan, and Washington, Pennsylvania. All 10 defendants have likewise pleaded guilty.
Assistant United States Attorneys Charles A. Eberle and Barbara K. Doolittle prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Knox.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
