Donora Woman Played Role in Lightfoot/Mendoza Drug Trafficking Organization

Donora Woman Played Role in Lightfoot/Mendoza Drug Trafficking Organization

The following press release was published by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys on Sept. 20, 2018. It is reproduced in full below.

PITTSBURGH, Pa - A resident of Donora, PA pleaded guilty in federal court to a narcotics charge, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Renee Kinder, age 46, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distributing cocaine before United States District Judge Mark Hornak.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that from March 2017 to December 2017, Brandon Thomas, a mid-level distributor in the Lightfoot/Mendoza Drug Trafficking Organization, would receive large quantities of cocaine from Jamie Lightfoot, Jr. before redistributing the cocaine to Kinder and other co-conspirators. Kinder’s role in the conspiracy was to travel Brandon Thomas’ home in Donora, PA on multiple occasions to purchase cocaine. After purchasing the cocaine from Brandon Thomas, Kinder would then redistribute it to other co-conspirators.

Judge Hornak scheduled sentencing for Jan. 22, 2019. The law provides for a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior record, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Timothy M. Lanni is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation - The Monongahela Valley Residential Agency and the Pennsylvania State Police, with assistance from the South Strabane Police Department, the Elizabeth Borough Police Department, the Penn Hills Police Department and the Perryopolis Police Department, conducted the investigation that led to the guilty plea in this case

Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys

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