Three Plead Guilty In Cocaine Distribution Scheme
PITTSBURGH, Pa. ‑ Three Pittsburgh residents pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating the federal drug laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Quincy Vanco Leonard, 35; Richard Emmanuel Coleman, a/k/a Manny, 34; and Alfred Terrell Thomas, IV, a/k/a Nu Nu, 26, each pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Terrence F. McVerry.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that from in or around October 2007, and continuing until in or around September 2008, in the Western District of Pennsylvania and elsewhere, Leonard, Thomas, Coleman and others conspired to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance. During the change of plea hearings, Leonard and Thomas admitted responsibility for conspiring to distribute more than 500 grams but less than two kilograms of cocaine; Coleman acknowledged conspiring to distribute more than 300 grams but less than 400 grams of cocaine.
Judge McVerry scheduled sentencing for Leonard on March 3, 2011, at 9:30 a.m., for Coleman on March 3, 2011, at 10:30 a.m., and for Thomas onMarch4, 2011, at 1:30 p.m. The law provides for a total sentence of not less than 10 years and up to life in prison, a fine of $4,000,000, or both for Leonard; not more than 20 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, or both for Coleman; and not less than five years and up to 40 years in prison, a fine of $2,000,000 or both for Thomas. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Troy Rivetti is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Leonard, Coleman and Thomas. Other agencies participating in the investigation include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Pennsylvania State Police, the District Attorney's Office ‑ Violent Crimes/Firearms Task Force, the Allegheny County Sheriff's Department, the Allegheny County Police Department, the Allegheny County Adult Probation, the Internal Revenue Service ‑ Criminal Investigation, the United States Marshals Service, the West Mifflin Police Department, the Coraopolis Police Department, the Jefferson Hills Police Department, the Mount Lebanon Police Department, and the Pennsylvania State Parole.
