Two Men Sentenced to Federal Prison for Trafficking Cocaine from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH – Two men – one from New Jersey and the other from Florida - have been sentenced in federal court on their convictions for violating federal drug laws related to their trafficking of kilograms of cocaine from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Senior United States District Judge Donetta W. Ambrose imposed a sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment on Danny Jackson, 33, of Pine Hill, NJ, and a sentence of five years’ imprisonment on Moussa Jabateh, 32, a citizen of Liberia who was residing in Miami, FL. Senior Judge Ambrose also ordered Jabateh’s removal from the United States to Liberia following the completion of his sentence.

According to information presented to the court, from October 2017 through July 2018, Jackson, Jabateh, and their co-conspirators conspired to distribute between 50 to 150 kilograms of cocaine in the Western District of Pennsylvania. Jabateh obtained the supply of cocaine, and Jackson physically transported kilograms of cocaine via bus from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh roughly twice a month for the nine-month period. In connection with this investigation, the United States seized nearly $8,000,000 in cash and other assets; 42 kilograms of cocaine; 12 kilograms of fentanyl; three kilograms of heroin; and 121 grams of oxycodone.

Prior to imposing sentence, Senior Judge Ambrose stated that the sentences for each defendant were sufficient but not greater than necessary to achieve the goals of sentencing.

Assistant United States Attorneys Tonya Sulia Goodman and Mark V. Gurzo prosecuted these cases on behalf of the government.

United States Attorney Brady commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Greater Pittsburgh Safe Streets Task Force, which includes the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, the Wilkinsburg Police Department, and the Allegheny County Adult Probation Office, for the investigation leading to the successful prosecutions of Jackson and Jabateh.