Office of Attorney General targeting drug-related crime in Allegheny County
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Thursday, Aug. 14, 2014
HARRISBURG - Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane said today that the full weight of her office is being put behind the efforts of law enforcement organizations in Allegheny County to combat the steep increase in violent, drug related-crime in the area. She also announced the arrest of two men accused of carrying stolen handguns and an alleged heroin dealer as part of ongoing investigations.
"Too many Allegheny County citizens feel helpless because drug deals and shootings have become an almost everyday occurrence," Attorney General Kane said. "We are focusing our efforts there and together with local law enforcement we are determined to bring peace back to those communities."
She said in recent weeks neighborhoods throughout Allegheny County have seen an increase in drug-related crime, which can turn deadly as drug trafficking organizations try to stake their claim.
On Aug. 13, 2014, Terrick Smith, 21, 425 Verona St., Braddock, and Marquese Underwood, 19, 41 Midway Drive, Apt. B, West Mifflin, were arrested together after agents and task force officers from the Office of Attorney General recognized Smith as a wanted person. Both were carrying stolen handguns: Smith was in possession of a .40-caliber Beretta pistol and Underwood had a .45-caliber FN pistol.
On July 30, 2014, Gerald Johnson, 27, N. Negley Ave., Pittsburgh, allegedly arranged and delivered heroin to agents from the Office of Attorney General's Bureau of Narcotics Investigation (BNI). On Thursday, Aug. 7, 2014, Johnson was arrested for a traffic violation, which resulted in the seizure of additional heroin. Approximately 12 bricks of heroin, or 600 bags, and $2,261 in cash have been seized from Johnson, who was driving on a suspended license.
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Investigations into heroin trafficking in Allegheny County and surrounding counties are a joint effort by Region V and Region VI of BNI, covering 15 counties. Attorney General Kane is integrating the regions operationally to defeat trafficking organizations and improve the quality of life for citizens.
The aggressive response to local violence associated with drugs, gang activity and gun violence broadens the mission of the Mobile Street Crimes Unit, launched last year by the Office of Attorney General. The unit fosters cooperation and improved coordination among local, state and federal law enforcement.
Terrick Smith and Marquese Underwood each are charged with one count of carrying a firearm without a license, one count receiving stolen property and one count of carrying loaded weapons. Smith faces an additional charge of persons not to possess firearms.
Johnson is charged with two counts of possession of heroin, two counts of possession with the intent to deliver heroin, two counts of criminal use of a communications facility, one count of delivery of heroin and several traffic violations.
Smith, Underwood and Johnson will be prosecuted by the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office.
Attorney General Kane thanked the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office, Munhall Police Department, Homestead Police Department and Frazer Township Police Department for their assistance with the investigation.
(A person charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty.)