Grand Jury Returns Superseding Indictments in Homestead-Area Drug and Gun Cases
| U.S. Attorney’s Office August 07, 2013 |
PITTSBURGH—On August 6, 2013, a federal grand jury issued superseding indictments in six related cases involving drug trafficking and violence in Homestead, Pennsylvania, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today. The superseding indictments added new firearms and drug trafficking counts and one additional defendant, to drug and gun charges filed against 34 people on March 14, 2013. The original indictments followed a year-long federal, state, and local law enforcement investigation.
The Superseding Indictments
The first superseding indictment, containing seven counts, named:
The second superseding indictment, containing two counts, named:
The third superseding indictment, containing three counts, named:
The fourth superseding indictment, containing six counts, named:
The fifth superseding indictment, containing 11 counts, named:
The indictment added the following eight new counts. On or about February 27, 2013, Diamantia Serrano possessed with the intent to distribute a quantity of heroin, and on that same day, his brother, Diassandai Serrano, a new defendant, possessed a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. On March 13, 2013, Ryan Harper distributed a quantity of heroin, and on February 13 and 19, 2013, Ronnell Robinson distributed a quantity of heroin. On September 17, 2012, Ronnell Robinson possessed a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and Bryce Harper was charged with that same crime on March 14, 2013. Also on March 14, 2013, Bryce Harper was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The sixth superseding indictment, containing five counts, named:
Penalties
On the conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin count, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 10 years and up to life in prison, a fine of $10,000,000, or both, for a first-time drug trafficking conviction. For those with one prior felony drug trafficking conviction, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 20 years and up to life in prison, a fine of $20,000,000 or both, and for those with two prior felony drug trafficking convictions, the law provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of life in prison.
On the firearms’ counts charging possession, use, brandishing or discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence or a drug trafficking crime, the law provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years if the gun is possessed in furtherance of the crime, seven years if the gun is brandished in furtherance of the crime, and 10 years if the gun is discharged in furtherance of the crime. These sentences, by law, must run consecutively to any sentence imposed for the narcotics counts. In addition, the law imposes a fine of up to $250,000. For second or consecutive counts of this nature, the law provides for a mandatory minimum consecutive sentence of 25 years.
For the firearms count charging possession of a firearm by a felon, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to ten years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. However, if the court determines that the defendant has three previous convictions for either crimes of violence or serious drug offenses, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 15 years and up to life in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both.
Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Eric S. Rosen is prosecuting these cases on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General; City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police; Pennsylvania State Police; Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office; McKeesport Police Department; Munhall Police Department; and the West Homestead Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of the above-mentioned individuals.
A superseding indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The Superseding Indictments
The first superseding indictment, containing seven counts, named:
- Brandon Thompson, 30, of Homestead, Pennsylvania;
- Antonio Hardin, 32, of Monroeville, Pennsylvania;
- James Walker, 44, of Homestead;
- Joseph Thompson, II, 25, of Homestead;
- Richard Wood, 34, of Homestead;
- Gregory Harris, Jr., 24, of Homestead; and
- Luther Harper, 27, of Homestead.
The second superseding indictment, containing two counts, named:
- Troy Anderson, 24, of Braddock, Pennsylvania;
- Mark Felder, 25, of Duquesne, Pennsylvania; and
- Dorianne Harris, 20, of Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania.
The third superseding indictment, containing three counts, named:
- Sterling Marshall, 18, of Munhall, Pennsylvania;
- Tireal Wheeler, 19, of Homestead; and
- Jordan Murphy, 21, of Homestead.
The fourth superseding indictment, containing six counts, named:
- Jay Germany, 22, of Pittsburgh;
- Brady Hall, 19, of Pittsburgh;
- Jaquan Washington, 23, of Homestead;
- Hector Guadalupe, Jr., 36, of Brooklyn, New York;
- Santino Drew, 34, of New Brunswick, New Jersey;
- Thomas Martinez, 34, of Edison, New Jersey; and
- Louis Spinnenweber, Jr., 34, of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania.
The fifth superseding indictment, containing 11 counts, named:
- Bryce Harper, 26, of Homestead;
- Diamantia Serrano, 19, of McKeesport, Pennsylvania;
- acie Harper, 24, of Homestead;
- Ryan Harper, 36, of Munhall; Jamar Harper, 32, of Homestead;
- Ronnell Robinson, 19, of Duquesne;
- Seth Lindsey, 18, of Duquesne; and
- Diassandai Serrano, 18, of McKeesport.
The indictment added the following eight new counts. On or about February 27, 2013, Diamantia Serrano possessed with the intent to distribute a quantity of heroin, and on that same day, his brother, Diassandai Serrano, a new defendant, possessed a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. On March 13, 2013, Ryan Harper distributed a quantity of heroin, and on February 13 and 19, 2013, Ronnell Robinson distributed a quantity of heroin. On September 17, 2012, Ronnell Robinson possessed a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and Bryce Harper was charged with that same crime on March 14, 2013. Also on March 14, 2013, Bryce Harper was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The sixth superseding indictment, containing five counts, named:
- Thomas Hopes, 21, of Pittsburgh;
- Keith Harris, 22, of Homestead;
- Anthony Smith, 21, of Homestead,;
- Hakeem Kirby, 19, of Homestead;
- William McDonald, 68, of Homestead;
- Ronnell Robinson, 19, of Duquesne;
- Gregory Harris, Jr., 24, of Homestead;
- Sterling Marshall, 18, of Munhall; and
- Diamantia Serrano, 19, of McKeesport.
Penalties
On the conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin count, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 10 years and up to life in prison, a fine of $10,000,000, or both, for a first-time drug trafficking conviction. For those with one prior felony drug trafficking conviction, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 20 years and up to life in prison, a fine of $20,000,000 or both, and for those with two prior felony drug trafficking convictions, the law provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of life in prison.
On the firearms’ counts charging possession, use, brandishing or discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence or a drug trafficking crime, the law provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years if the gun is possessed in furtherance of the crime, seven years if the gun is brandished in furtherance of the crime, and 10 years if the gun is discharged in furtherance of the crime. These sentences, by law, must run consecutively to any sentence imposed for the narcotics counts. In addition, the law imposes a fine of up to $250,000. For second or consecutive counts of this nature, the law provides for a mandatory minimum consecutive sentence of 25 years.
For the firearms count charging possession of a firearm by a felon, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to ten years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. However, if the court determines that the defendant has three previous convictions for either crimes of violence or serious drug offenses, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 15 years and up to life in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both.
Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Eric S. Rosen is prosecuting these cases on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General; City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police; Pennsylvania State Police; Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office; McKeesport Police Department; Munhall Police Department; and the West Homestead Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of the above-mentioned individuals.
A superseding indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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