PITTSBURGH - A resident of the City of Pittsburgh and Detroit, Michigan, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal drug and firearms laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
The three-count indictment, returned on April 25, named Jerome Wilburn, aka Jerome Hill, aka John Hill, aka Jerome Webb, aka Jerome Williams, aka Partello Road, age 53, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment, on March 22, 2018, Wilburn conspired with others to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of Heroin. The Indictment also alleges that on March 22, 2018, Wilburn possessed with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of Heroin. In addition, on that date, Wilburn possessed a 9 mm caliber semi-automatic Jiminez Arms pistol, a Hi Point Model C9 9 mm Serial No. P1790088, and ammunition, after having been convicted of a previous felony drug trafficking offense.
The defendant faces a maximum total penalty of not less than 10 years and up to life in prison, a fine of $8,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Ross E. Lenhardt is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case with valuable assistance from the Pennsylvania State Police. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
