Waynesburg Man Illegally Possessed 2 Loaded Firearms, Cocaine and Heroin

PITTSBURGH –A former resident of Greene County, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to violations of the federal narcotics and firearms laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Julius Maurice Hurt, 34, of Waynesburg, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute quantities of heroin and cocaine, and possession of firearms in furtherance of that drug trafficking crime, before Senior United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that in the early morning hours of May 3, 2017, Waynesburg Borough Police Officers were dispatched to the area in and around the Greene County Courthouse based on 911 calls that an individual, later determined to be Julius Hurt, was observed carrying firearms. The responding officers located Hurt in that area and found him in possession of two loaded firearms (a .45 caliber Colt pistol and a 9mm Smith & Wesson pistol). On his person, police found quantities of cocaine and heroin, both of which are scheduled controlled substances. In a residence associated with the Defendant, which was searched by the Pennsylvania State Police, troopers found drug paraphernalia commonly used to package heroin and cocaine for further distribution. In connection with his plea, Hurt admitted to possessing the quantities of heroin and cocaine intending to distribute them, and that he possessed the firearms in furtherance of that drug trafficking crime.

Judge Fischer scheduled sentencing for July 29, 2020, at 9:00 a.m. The Court continued Hurt’s detention pending sentencing. The law provides for a total sentence of not less than five years and up to life in prison, a fine not to exceed of $1,250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Jerome A. Moschetta is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Waynesburg Borough Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Hurt.