Three Charged With Violating Federal Drug Laws
PITTSBURGH, Pa - A resident of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, and two residents of Houston, Texas, 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 four-count indictment, returned on Oct. 25, named Adrian Taylor a/k/a Tate, 35, of Beaver Falls, Pa.; Vincent D. Middlebrooks, 39, of Houston, Texas; and Gathon Dudley Shannon a/k/a Gathow Dudly Channon, 45, of Houston, Texas as defendants.
According to the indictment, from Dec. 4, 2009, and continuing thereafter to Sept. 29, 2011, Taylor, Middlebrooks, and Shannon conspired with one another and with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. Additionally, on or about Sept. 29, 2011, Taylor, Middlebrooks, and Shannon distributed and possessed with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. The indictment also charges that on or about Feb. 19, 2010, Taylor distributed and possessed with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine, and on or about Feb. 23, 2010, Taylor distributed and possessed with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 10 years and up to 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 each defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Almon S. Burke, Jr. is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
A federally administered Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) comprised of members drawn from the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation Division, and the Beaver Falls Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
