PITTSBURGH - A former resident of McKees Rocks, Pa. and the Hill District area of Pittsburgh, Pa., pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of Escaping From Federal Custody, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.
Anthony Lee, aka Jamar Mitchell, age 37, pleaded guilty to the escape before Chief United States District Judge Joy Flowers Conti.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that, on Oct. 23, 2016, Lee was serving the last portion of his sentence at a halfway house in Pittsburgh called the Renewal Center after being convicted in federal court of felony charges involving drugs and guns. Court records show that Lee had ultimately been sentenced to 120 months at that prior federal case after the term was reduced from a higher sentence. When Lee’s girlfriend came to visit him at the Renewal Center, she found him with another woman. An argument ensued and Lee punched the girlfriend in the face, knocking her to the ground. The defendant fled the scene with the other woman and was in escape status until arrested by the United States Marshal Service Fugitive Task Force on Nov. 22, 2016, at the residence of the other woman. During the hearing, Lee’s attorney stated that he admitted the escape, but did not admit that he assaulted his former girlfriend.
Judge Conti scheduled sentencing for January 5, 2018, at 1:30 p.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 5 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the charge and the prior criminal history of the defendant.
The court ordered that the defendant remain in federal custody pending his sentencing date.
Assistant United States Attorney Ross E. Lenhardt of the Violent Crime Section is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The United States Marshal Service and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police conducted the investigation that led to the apprehension and prosecution of Lee.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
