PITTSBURGH, PA -- A former resident of Columbus, Ohio, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of violating federal narcotic and firearm laws, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
Marshall Grimes, age 42, pleaded guilty to two counts before United States District Judge David S. Cercone.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that between May 2018 and December 2018, the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General and Butler County Drug Task Force conducted an investigation into Marshall Grimes, a known drug dealer from Columbus, OH who was operating in Butler, PA. On Dec. 11, 2018, law enforcement received a 911 call regarding the apartment building where Grimes and his co-conspirators distributed narcotics. Thereafter, officers responded and detained Grimes. During a consensual search of the apartments used by Grimes and his associates, law enforcement recovered approximately 280 grams of cocaine, 80 grams of cocaine base, in the form commonly known as crack, $11,989.00, and a loaded firearm.
Judge Cercone scheduled sentencing for June 7, 2022, at 11:30 am. The law provides for a total sentence of life in prison, a fine of $5,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Pending sentencing, the court remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. The defendant remains detained pending sentencing.
Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General and Butler County Drug Task Force conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Grimes.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
