Pleasant Hills Felon Indicted for Violating Federal Firearms and Narcotics Laws

PITTSBURGH, PA – A resident of Pleasant Hills has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal firearms & narcotics laws, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today.

The two-count Indictment named Marvin L. Sheppard III, age 27, as the sole defendant.

According to Indictment, on or about March 13, 2021, Marvin L. Sheppard III, a convicted felon, possessed a firearm and ammunition. Federal law prohibits a convicted felon from possessing a firearm or ammunition. On or about March 25, 2021. Sheppard possessed with the intent to distribute 10 grams or more of an analogue of fentanyl and a quantity of fentanyl.

At each count, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 10 years in prison, a fine of not more than $250,000.00 or both, for the firearm charge. For the drug charge, the law provides for a sentence of not less than 10 years in prison, a fine of not more than $10,000,000.00, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Barbara K. Doolittle is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive and the Brentwood Borough Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case. The case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods. Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

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