Skip to main content
Press Release

Pittsburgh Woman Pleads Guilty To Criminal Contempt Of Court Charge

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

PITTSBURGH - A Pittsburgh resident pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of criminal contempt of court, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Marquetta Lavelle Mitchell, 41, pleaded guilty to one count before Senior United States District Judge Alan N. Bloch.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Mitchell disobeyed and resisted the lawful process, order and command of a Court of the United States, that is, she refused to testify at the October 16-22, 2012, trial of her boyfriend, Andre Williams, for charges that included conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, at Case Number 11-116, despite: the subpoena that required her to do so; an instruction from Senior United States District Court Judge Alan N. Bloch that her Fifth Amendment rights had been extinguished; and a written order compelling her to testify pursuant to a grant of immunity from Senior United States District Court Judge Alan N. Bloch.

Judge Bloch scheduled sentencing for Jan. 8, 2015 at 11:30 a.m. The law provides for an unlimited period of incarceration and/or a fine, at the discretion of the Court. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

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

The Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations and the 21st Judicial District Drug Task Force in Tennessee conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Marquetta Lavelle Mitchell.

Updated July 14, 2015