Washington, PA Man Charged with Federal Drug Crime

PITTSBURGH – A resident of Washington, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

The one-count Indictment named Patrick Ellis, 43, as the sole defendant.

According to the Indictment, on or about November 19, 2020, Ellis possessed with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 5 to a maximum of 40 years in prison, a fine not to exceed $5,000,000 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 Mark V. Gurzo is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI") in Pittsburgh, PA led the multi-agency investigation that included members of the Pennsylvania State Police, United States Postal Inspection Service, Allegheny County Police Department, Allegheny County Port Authority Police Department, Allegheny County Sherriff’s Office, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Stowe Township Police Department, and North Versailles Police Department.

This prosecution is a result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles high-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten communities throughout the United States. OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

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