PITTSBURGH - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of narcotics distribution and firearms possession, in violation of federal law, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Joseph T. Gale, Jr., age 29, pleaded guilty to three counts before United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on November 5, 2018, Gale possessed a.45 caliber semi-automatic Springfield Armory pistol and.45 caliber ammunition, knowing that he had been previously convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year. Federal law prohibits a felon from possessing a firearm. The court was also advised that on the same date, Gale possessed with intent to distribute a quantity of fentanyl and a quantity of cocaine.
Judge Ranjan scheduled sentencing for June 15, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of not more than seventy years in prison, a fine of $4,250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Douglas C. Maloney is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Ohio Township Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Gale. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
