Two Sentenced For Participating In Drug Trafficking Activities

PITTSBURGH – Two western Pennsylvania men have been sentenced in federal court on their convictions of violating federal drug trafficking laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

United States District Judge Terence F. McVerry sentenced Terrell Williams a/k/a Rel, 35, of McKeesport, Pa., to 72 months imprisonment followed by five years supervised release. Josh Williams (no relation to Terrell Williams), 33, of Aliquippa, Pa., was sentenced to 70 months imprisonment followed by five years supervised release.

According to information presented to the court, from in and around January 2011 and continuing thereafter to in and around June 2012, Terrell Williams and Josh Williams conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine. Additionally, from in and around June 2011 and continuing thereafter to in and around May 2012, Terrell Williams also conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin.

The prosecution of Terrell Williams and JoshWilliams was the result of a long-term investigation that involved wiretaps on cell phones utilized by several members of the conspiracy. At the conclusion of the investigation, twenty defendants (including Terrell and JoshWilliams) were charged in a large-scale cocaine conspiracy that operated between Warren, Ohio, and Washington, Pa. All 20 defendants have since pleaded guilty. The same investigation also resulted in the prosecution of 10 defendants (including Terrell Williams) charged in a large-scale heroin conspiracy that operated between Detroit, Mich., and Washington, Pa. All 10 defendants have likewise pleaded guilty.

Assistant United States Attorneys Charles A. Eberle and Barbara K. Doolittle prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Terrell Williams and Josh Williams.