Three Additional Defendants Indicted on Federal Charges Related to Illegally Trafficking Cocaine and Heroin

 PITTSBURGH, PA – A federal grand jury, in Pittsburgh, has issued two separate, but related, Superseding Indictments, charging a total of 24 residents of Western Pennsylvania with narcotics trafficking, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

The first Superseding Indictment, unsealed today, contains two conspiracy counts and names the following 11 individuals as defendants, adding James C. Lori and James D. Lori to the nine defendants charged in the original December Indictment:

• Anthony Peluso, 39, of Hampton Township, PA

• Marissa Botta, 28, of Hampton Township, PA

• James C. Lori, 31, of Pittsburgh, PA

• James D. Lori, 58, of Pittsburgh, PA

• David Pietropaolo, 23, of Glenshaw, PA

• Thomas Snelsire, 46, of Baldwin, PA

• Wayne Webber, 42, of Duquesne, PA

• Ronald Simak, 38, of Verona, PA

• Anthony Scatena, 23, of Pittsburgh, PA

• James Stewart, 41, of Pittsburgh, PA

• Dorin Duncan, 42, of Glenshaw, PA

According to this Superseding Indictment, the above-named defendants conspired to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance between January to November 2020. The Superseding Indictment further alleges that Peluso, Botta and Snelsire also conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of heroin, a Schedule I controlled substance, also between January and November 2020.

The second Superseding Indictment, also unsealed today, contains two conspiracy counts and names the following 13 individuals as defendants, adding Malik Johnson to the 12 defendants charged in the original December Indictment:

• Jeffrey Kushik, 29, of Pittsburgh, PA

• Gary Hairston, 41, of Pittsburgh, PA

• Darian Wofford, 27, of Pittsburgh, PA

• Malik Johnson, 30 of Pittsburgh, PA

• Stephanie Zilka, 28, of Pittsburgh, PA

• Misty Walker, 39, of Pittsburgh, PA

• Richard White, 18, of Pittsburgh, PA

• Randy Camacho, 34, of Pittsburgh, PA

• Damian Cherepko, 26, of McKeesport, PA

• Brandon Hulboy, 29, of Pittsburgh, PA

• James Crivella, 27, of Glenshaw, PA

• Seaira Collins, 32, of Pittsburgh, PA

• Jessica Taranto, 37, of Pittsburgh, PA

According to this Superseding Indictment, Kushik, Hairston, Wofford, Johnson, Zilka, Walker, Camacho, Collins, and Taranto conspired to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance between August and November 2020. The Superseding Indictment further charges Kushik, Hairston, Wofford, Johnson, Zilka, Walker, White, Cherepko, Hulboy and Crivella with conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of heroin, a Schedule I controlled substance, also between August and November 2020.

As to the conspiracy counts involving 100 grams or more of heroin and 500 grams or more of cocaine, the law provides for a minimum sentence of 5 years’ and a maximum sentence of 40 years’ imprisonment, a fine of not more than $5,000,000, or both. As to the conspiracy count involving 1 kilogram or more of heroin, the law provides for a minimum sentence of 10 years’ and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a fine of not more than $10,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of each defendant.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the multi-agency investigation of this case, which also included the United States Postal Inspection Service, Drug Enforcement Administration, United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, Pennsylvania State Police, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General Bureau of Narcotics Investigations. Other assisting agencies include the Allegheny County Police Department Homicide, Baldwin Police Department, Brentwood Police Department, McKees Rocks Police Department, Stowe Township Police Department and West Deer Township 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.

Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca L. Silinski is prosecuting these cases on behalf of the government.

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