McKees Rocks Felon Indicted for Possessing Multiple Guns and Drugs

PITTSBURGH - A McKees Rocks resident has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh for violating federal narcotics and firearms laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

The three-count Indictment, returned on July 16 and unsealed today, named Joseph Alexander, 38, as the sole defendant.

According to the Indictment, on or about September 11, 2018, Alexander possessed with the intent to distribute quantities of heroin, fentanyl, acetyl fentanyl, N–Ethylpentylone, and Tramadol. The Indictment further alleges that Alexander possessed four firearms in furtherance of this drug trafficking crime and that Alexander was prohibited from possessing these firearms because he is a convicted felon.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than five years and up to life in prison, a fine not to exceed $1,500,000 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, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Mark V. Gurzo is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Pennsylvania State Police, with assistance from the Allegheny County Police Department, Allegheny County Port Authority Police Department, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, and Stowe Township Police, conducted the investigation that led to the Indictment in this case. The investigation was funded by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.

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