Eight people from several states have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges related to cocaine and fentanyl trafficking, as well as firearm violations. The announcement was made by First Assistant United States Attorney Troy Rivetti.
The defendants are Derrick Lyman of McKeesport, Pennsylvania; Daniel Jackson of Penn Hills, Pennsylvania; Devlin Clifford of Monroeville, Pennsylvania; Robert East of Delaware, Ohio; Jose Sanchez-Polanco of Lawrence, Massachusetts; Ernesto Castillo of Lynwood, California; Ricardo Escalona of Winter Park, Florida; and Dionisio Gonzalez-Diaz of Homestead, Florida.
According to the superseding indictment, Ernesto Castillo is accused of possessing with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine on May 28, 2024. On June 6, 2024, Ricardo Escalona allegedly possessed five kilograms or more of cocaine with intent to distribute. The indictment further alleges that on June 27, 2024, all eight defendants conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute at least five kilograms of cocaine and at least 400 grams of fentanyl. On the same date, Derrick Lyman is alleged to have possessed these amounts for distribution purposes. Lyman, Jackson, and Clifford are also charged with possessing firearms as convicted felons in connection with drug trafficking crimes. Federal law prohibits convicted felons from possessing firearms or ammunition. Additionally on June 27, Jackson allegedly possessed five kilograms or more of cocaine for distribution and Clifford allegedly possessed at least 500 grams.
If convicted on all counts, Lyman and Clifford face sentences ranging from a minimum of 15 years up to life in prison and fines up to $20 million. Jackson, East, Sanchez-Polanco, Castillo, Escalona, and Gonzalez-Diaz face minimum sentences of ten years up to life in prison and fines up to $10 million. For the firearms offenses involving Lyman, Jackson and Clifford, there is a mandatory minimum sentence of five years up to life in prison plus potential fines up to $250,000. Sentences will ultimately depend on the seriousness of the offenses and any prior criminal history under federal sentencing guidelines.
Assistant United States Attorney Katherine C. Jordan is prosecuting the case.
The prosecution falls under the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative created by Executive Order 14159: Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF coordinates efforts among multiple government agencies against criminal cartels and transnational organizations involved in activities such as drug trafficking and human smuggling within the United States and abroad. In western Pennsylvania specifically, agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) are involved alongside prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District.
As stated in the announcement: "An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty."
