Pittsburgh Drug Dealer Sentenced to Nearly 4 Years in Prison

PITTSBURGH - A resident of the North Side of Pittsburgh, PA, has been sentenced in federal court to three years and ten months (46 months) in prison on conviction of possession with intent to distribute heroin and crack cocaine as well as maintaining a drug involved premises, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Senior United States District Judge Donetta W. Ambrose imposed the sentence on Kawama Hightower, 41.

According to the information presented to the court, on September 11, 2018, FBI investigators conducted a traffic stop of Hightower while he was leaving his residence. During the traffic stop, they recovered crack cocaine and nearly $4,000 in cash from Hightower and his vehicle. Later on that day, investigators executed a search warrant at Hightower’s residence and recovered additional quantities of crack cocaine, nearly 100 bricks of heroin, two loaded firearms, additional ammunition, digital scales, and drug packaging materials.

Prior to imposing the sentence, Judge Ambrose stated that Hightower’s sentence was intended to hold him accountable for his crimes, reflect the seriousness of his crimes, and protect the public.

Assistant United States Attorney Mark V. Gurzo are prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation – Western District of Pennsylvania Opioid Task Force conducted the investigation of Hightower. This Task Force is comprised of FBI Special Agents and state and local Task Force Officers, including officers from the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Allegheny County Sherriff’s Department, Allegheny County Police, Port Authority Police, Munhall Police Department, McKees Rocks Police Department, West Mifflin Police Department, and Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.