Florida Man Charged Under “Drug Kingpin Statute” for Running Large Cocaine and Money Laundering Ring

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Lauderhill, Florida, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal drug laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

The six-count Superseding Indictment named Racoco Williams, age 37, as the sole defendant.

According to the Superseding Indictment, on or about April 23, 2017 and on or about August 29, 2017, Williams possessed with intent to deliver five kilograms or more of cocaine. The earlier filed criminal complaint alleged that Williams was staying at a room at the Extended Stay Hotel in Monroeville, Pennsylvania. A federal search warrant of his room revealed 17 kilograms of cocaine and more than $192,000 in cash. The Superseding Indictment further alleges that from in and around 2012 and continuing thereafter to in and around March 2018, Williams conspired with persons known and unknown to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and a quantity of marijuana. The Superseding Indictment further alleges that from in and around 2012 and continuing thereafter to in and around March 2018, Williams participated as a principal administrator in a continuing criminal enterprise that involved 150 kilograms or more of cocaine. The Superseding Indictment further alleges that from in and around 2012 and continuing thereafter to in and around August 2017, Williams conspired with persons known and unknown to commit money laundering. Finally, the Superseding Indictment also alleges that from 2012 and continuing thereafter to in and around August 2017, Williams travelled between states in aid of racketeering activity, namely drug trafficking.

The law provides for a mandatory sentence of life in prison, a maximum fine of $32,750,000 or both.

Assistant United States Attorney Brendan T. Conway is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The United States Department of Homeland Security, the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation leading to the Superseding Indictment in this case.

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