Five Charged Federally In September Swap Meet Robbery
PITTSBURGH, Pa. ‑ Five residents of Pittsburgh, Pa., have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal firearms, narcotics and robbery laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
The five‑count indictment named Rayshaun Jones, 24, Aaron Farrow, 24, Kevin Allison, 20, Troy Hexstall, 25, all of whom are incarcerated, and Derrick Holliday, 25, as defendants.
According to the indictment presented to the court, between Sept. 14, 2010, and Sept. 15, 2010, Jones, Farrow, Allison, Hexstall and Holliday conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute less than 50 kilograms of marijuana and to rob the Swap Meet, a business engaged in interstate commerce, as well as its owner, vendors, employees and customers of money, merchandise and marijuana. On Sept. 15, 2010, Jones, Farrow, Allison, Hexstall and Holliday robbed the Swap Meet, as well as its owner, vendors, employees and customers and obtained among other things, $300 to $400 and one kilogram of marijuana. During the robbery, Jones, Farrow Allison, Hexstall and Holliday carried, used and possessed firearms, including: a 5.7 x 28 caliber Fabrique Nationale Herstal Belgium rifle, model PS 90, a .223 caliber Sturm and Ruger rifle, model Mini‑14, a .40 caliber Beretta handgun, a .357 Glock handgun, and a handgun of unknown make and model.
The law provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years to a maximum of life in prison, a fine of $1,250,000, 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 defendants.
Assistant United States Attorney Constance M. Bowden is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pittsburgh Police Department and the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.
This case is being prosecuted under Project Safe Neighborhoods, a collaborative effort by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and communities to prevent, deter and prosecute gun crime.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
