PITTSBURGH - An Allegheny County resident pleaded guilty and was sentenced in federal court to charges of violating federal firearms and narcotics laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Derrick Middlebrook, 27, of Clairton, Pa., pleaded guilty to two counts before United States District Judge Terrence F. McVerry.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on or about April 21, 2016, Middlebrook, being a convicted felon, illegally possessed a Springfield Armory, Model XD-40,.40 caliber pistol, with an extended capacity magazine, and.40 caliber ammunition. Federal law prohibits anyone who has been convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year to possess a firearm and/or ammunition.
Additionally, on or about April 21, 2016, Middlebrook possessed with intent to distribute less than 100 grams of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of heroin, a Schedule I controlled substance.
At the time that Middlebrook committed these crimes, he was on federal supervised release for a prior federal drug-trafficking conviction (10-cr-235).
Following Middlebrook’s guilty plea, Judge McVerry sentenced him to 84 months imprisonment (70 months for the criminal offenses and 14 months for the supervised release violation), followed by 36 months supervised release.
Assistant United States Attorney Amy L. Johnston prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the United States Marshals Service and the U.S. Probation Office for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Middlebrook.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
