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Press Release

Californian Charged With Violating Drug, Money Laundering Laws

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Pennsylvania

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of California has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charges of violating federal drug and money laundering laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

The two-count superseding indictment named Marlowe Dewayne Wheeler, a/k/a Marzuq Mohammed, a/k/a Marquz Muhamed, 40, as the sole defendant. His charges mirror those faced by over 20 defendants in the pending case of United States v. Ruben Mitchell, et al. at Criminal No. 09-105.

According to the superseding indictment presented to the court, from 2000 through 2010, in the Western District of Pennsylvania and elsewhere, Wheeler conspired with others to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and launder drug money.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 10 years and up to life in prison, a fine of $4,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Ross E. Lenhardt is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the superseding indictment in this case.

A superseding indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Updated July 14, 2015