Pittsburgh Felon Sentenced to 57 Months in Prison for Possessing Crack, Gun

PITTSBURGH - A former resident of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to a 57-month term of imprisonment on each of his convictions of possession with intent to distribute less than 28 grams of crack cocaine and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, followed by supervised release for a term of three years on each of his convictions, to be served concurrently. In addition, Poindexter was ordered to pay a Special Assessment in the amount of $200.00.

United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak imposed the sentence on Cornell Poindexter, 29, formerly of Pittsburgh, Pa.

According to information presented to the court, on or about July 2, 2014, Poindexter possessed with the intent to distribute less than 28 grams of a mixture and substance which contained cocaine base, in the form commonly known as “crack,” a Schedule II controlled substance. Further, on or about July 2, 2014, Poindexter, who has previously been convicted of carrying a firearm without a license, fleeing and eluding a police officer, and escape, was found to be in possession of two 9 millimeter pistols. Federal law prohibits an individual who has been convicted of a felony from possessing a firearm.

Assistant United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police for conducting the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Poindexter.

This case is being prosecuted under Project Safe Neighborhoods, a collaborative effort by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and communities to prevent, deter, and prosecute gun crimes.