PITTSBURGH- After a lengthy investigation into drug trafficking in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 12 people were indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today. The indictments were returned under seal on March 20 and unsealed this week following the arrests of the defendants.
"Our intense focus on fighting the opioid epidemic in no way deters our efforts to prosecute individuals and organizations trafficking other illegal substances, including cocaine," said U.S. Attorney Brady. "Just as this 14-month investigation resulted in charges against the members of two separate, but related, drug trafficking organizations, we will continue to work tirelessly to identify and prosecute drug dealers at all levels in order to keep our communities safe."
THE INDICTMENTS
The first indictment, containing two counts, named:
Thomas Poole aka Thomas Dupree, 52, of Pittsburgh, PA;
Cameron Mele, 42, of Pittsburgh, PA;
Jayson Markulin, 46, of McKees Rocks, PA;
Brian Horvath, 46, of Pittsburgh, PA;
Albert Mastrippolito, Jr., 59, of Claridge, PA;
Craig George, 50, of Greensburg, PA;
Anthony Monteleone, 58, of Pittsburgh, PA;
Scott Spangler, 38, of North Versailles, PA; and
Richard Kosmar, 56, of Pittsburgh, PA.
According to the indictment, from in and around January 2016, and continuing thereafter to on or about Nov. 30, 2017, the defendants conspired with one another, and others known and unknown, to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance. While all defendants are charged in the conspiracy to distribute the narcotics, Albert Mastrippolito, Jr. is specifically charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine; and Thomas Poole, Cameron Mele, Jayson Markulin and Brian Horvath are specifically charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. Jayson Markulin is charged at Count 2 with possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
The law provides for maximum total sentences ranging from 10 years in prison up to life in prison, as well as mandatory minimum sentences starting at five years in prison. Fines range from $1,000,000 to up to $10,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
The second indictment, containing two counts, named:
Diop Fitzgerald, 40, formerly of West Mifflin, PA, currently incarcerated;
Landriff Macklin, 39, formerly of Pittsburgh, PA, currently incarcerated; and
James White, 45, of Duquesne, PA.
According to the indictment, from in and around September 2016, and continuing thereafter to on or about Nov. 30, 2017, the defendants conspired with one another, and others known and unknown, to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine. While all defendants are charged in the conspiracy to distribute the narcotics, Landriff Macklin is specifically charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine; and Diop Fitzgerald is specifically charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. Landriff Macklin is charged at Count 2 with possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.
The law provides for a mandatory minimum of five years and up to a maximum total sentence of 40 years in prison, a fine of up to $10,000,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Stephen S. Gilson is prosecuting these cases on behalf of the government.
A federally administered Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) conducted the investigation leading to the indictments in this case. The task force is headed by the Drug Enforcement Administration and is comprised of members drawn from the Borough of Baldwin Police Department, McKees Rocks Police Department, Munhall Police Department, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, and the Pennsylvania State Police. The Stowe Township Police Department also provided assistance in this investigation. The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
