Aliquippa Man Charged With Violating Federal Drug Laws
PITTSBURGH, Pa. ‑ A resident of Aliquippa, Pa., has 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 five-count superseding indictment named Carlos Jamal Smith, 35, as the sole defendant.
According to the indictment presented to the court, Smith conspired to lease, rent, use and maintain a place for the purpose of manufacturing, distributing and using crack cocaine while he was pending sentencing on federal drug charges. Smith also distributed a quantity of crack cocaine on the following dates: Jan. 15, 2010; Jan. 21, 2010; Feb. 3, 2010; and Feb. 15, 2010.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 100 years in prison, a fine of $4,500,000, 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 of the defendant.
If the government proves that the offenses were committed while the defendant was on release, the defendant's sentence must be served consecutive to the 24 months he received on his prior cases.
Assistant United States Attorney Ross E. Lenhardt is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Drug Enforcement Agency and the Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.
An indictment or information is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
