Ohio Man Admits Trafficking Heroin near Oliver Plaza Apartments in Duquesne PA

PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Columbus, Ohio, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating the federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Evan Jones, age 27, of Columbus, Ohio, pleaded guilty to one count before Senior United States District Judge Donetta W. Ambrose.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on July 26, 2018, law enforcement conducted surveillance in the vicinity of the Oliver Plaza Apartments, in Duquesne, PA, a known high drug trafficking area. Law enforcement previously received information that Evan Jones would be in the area to distribute heroin. Subsequently, law enforcement observed a blue Dodge Dakota with heavy front-end damage with an unsecured washing machine in the bed of the truck. The blue Dodge Dakota bore Ohio plates and was registered to Evan Jones. Law enforcement observed the blue Dodge Dakota pull behind the Oliver Plaza Apartment complex, an individual exit the vehicle, and then what appeared to be that individual working under the hood.

After leaving the apartment complex, law enforcement observed the driver of that blue Dodge Dakota commit at least two traffic violations. As a result, law enforcement initiated a traffic stop in the vicinity of Rankin, PA. The driver identified himself as Evan Jones. Thereafter, Jones gave officers consent to search his vehicle. The interior panels of the vehicle were loose. Inside of the loose dashboard panel, officers recovered a knotted sandwich bag containing 89.9 grams of heroin.

During his guilty plea, Jones admitted to knowingly and intentionally possessing the heroin with the intent to distribute to others.

Judge Ambrose scheduled sentencing for October 21, 2020 at 11 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of not more than 30 years in prison, a fine of $2,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The FBI Western Pennsylvania Opiate Task Force conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Evan Jones.