PITTSBURGH, Pa. ‑ Nine Pittsburgh‑area residents have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

The three‑count indictment, returned on Sept. 16, 2010 and unsealed today named:

Gary Moorefield, a/k/a G, a/k/a Maurice Gordon, a/k/a Mike Jones, 43, of Pittsburgh, Pa.;

Landon Claybourne, 28, of Pittsburgh, Pa.;

Tom Craighead, 42, of McKees Rocks, Pa.;

George Hawkins, a/k/a Adrees Obama, a/k/a Idrees Hawkins, a/k/a Vernon Spanner, a/k/a Shawn William Spring, a/k/a Shawn Spreen, a/k/a Sean Spreen, a/k/a George Pernell Hawkins, a/k/a Sean Spring, 36, of Pittsburgh, Pa.;

David Michael Jones, 29, of Pittsburgh, Pa.;

Ronald Klages, 30, of East Pittsburgh, Pa.;

Bridgette Lewis, 35, of Verona, Pa.;

Sharifa Shakura Miller, 27, of Pittsburgh, Pa.; and

Dequillarae Zellous, a/k/a Rae Zellous, a/k/a Strong, 37, of Pittsburgh, Pa., as defendants.

According to the indictment, from in or around August 2009 and continuing thereafter to in or around September 2010, in the Western District of Pennsylvania and elsewhere, the nine above-named defendants conspired with one another and with others to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute one (1) kilogram or more of heroin.

In addition, the indictment charges Gary Moorefield and Sharifa Shakura Miller with possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin on or about August 29, 2009.

Finally, the indictment charges Gary Moorefield and Bridgette Lewis with the crime of attempting to possess with the intent to distribute one (1) kilogram or more of heroin on or about Aug. 11, 2010.

With respect to all nine defendants, the law provides for a maximum sentence of life in prison, a fine of $4,000,000, 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 Attorney Charles A. Eberle is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

A federally administered Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case. The task force is headed by the Drug Enforcement Administration and is comprised of members drawn from the Baldwin Police, the Allegheny County Sheriff's Office, the Munhall Police, the Pittsburgh Police, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Duquesne Police, the West Homestead Police, the Allegheny County Police, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives ‑ Financial Investigations Unit. Assistance in the investigation was provided by the Penn Hills Police, the Monroeville Police, the McKees Rocks Police, and the Wilkinsburg Police. The OCDETF investigation was code‑named "Operation No Moore."

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

Return to Top