Pitcairn Man Charged with Violating Federal Drug and Gun Laws

PITTSBURGH – An Allegheny County resident has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh and charged with violations of federal narcotics and firearms laws, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

The three-count indictment, returned on December 12, 2017, named Lamar Rice, age 40, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment, on or about November 14, 2017, Rice maintained a drug-involved premises, where he was found to be in possession of 100 or more marijuana plants, with the intent to distribute them. Rice, a convicted felon, is also charged with possessing ammunition. As a convicted felon, Rice is prohibited by federal law from possessing a firearm and/or ammunition.

The law provides for a total maximum sentence of not less than five years in prison and up to 40 years in prison, and a fine of up to $5,000,000 for the drug charges. Rice also faces a maximum total sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of not more than $250,000, or both, on the possession of ammunition charge. 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.

Assistant United States Attorney Timothy M. Lanni is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police 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.