PITTSBURGH, PA - A former Pittsburgh resident pleaded guilty in federal court to violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Walter Porter, 45, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with the intent to distribute a Schedule II controlled substance before United States District Court Judge David Cercone.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on April 14, 2016, Walter Porter was a passenger in a maroon Hyundai Elantra that was pulled for a traffic stop in Indiana, Pa. Porter was seated next to a green bag. Inside the green bag, Indiana Police found a bag of a white material within a Big Puncture Seal Tire Repair hideaway can. The Pennsylvania State lab tested the substance and revealed that it was approximately three grams of crack cocaine, a Scheduled II controlled substance.
Judge Cercone scheduled sentencing for October 4, 2018 at 11 a.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 30 years in prison, a fine of $2,000,000, 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 Timothy M. Lanni is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Indiana Borough Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
