DEA And New Kensington Police Investigation Leads To Charges Against Local Man

PITTSBURGH – Michael Jones, a former resident of New Kensington, Pa., has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh for crack cocaine trafficking and firearms crimes, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

The three-count indictment returned on June 17 names Jones, 33, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment, on Feb. 26, 2014, in the Western District of Pennsylvania, Jones possessed crack cocaine with intent to distribute it, he possessed a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and he possessed five firearms after having been convicted of a felony drug- trafficking crime.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of at least five years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $2,500,000, 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, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorneys Katherine A. King and Craig W. Haller are prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and the New Kensington Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

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