Pittsburgh Man Charged with Trafficking Cocaine

PITTSBURGH – A former resident of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of trafficking cocaine, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

The one-count indictment, returned on February 20, named Johnny Lee Jones, 46, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment, on March 13, 2017, Jones knowingly, intentionally, and unlawfully possessed with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than five years and up to 40 years imprisonment, a maximum fine of $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 Cindy K. Chung is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Bethel Park Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.

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

Convicted Felon Indicted for Drug and Gun Law Violations

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

The four-count indictment, returned on January 16 and unsealed yesterday, named Tohn Robinson, aka "Tizzy," age 36, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment, on August 22, 2016 and again on August 23, 2016, Robinson distributed and possessed with intent to distribute fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance, resulting in serious bodily injury to the users of the fentanyl. In addition, on August 29, 2016, Robinson possessed with intent to distribute quantities of fentanyl and heroin. Further, the indictment charges that on or about April 3, 2016, Robinson, a convicted felon, was in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Federal law prohibits an individual who has been convicted of a felony from possessing a firearm or ammunition.

For the drug distribution resulting in serious bodily injury, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 20 years and up to life in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, or both. For the firearms offense, the law provides for a maximum total sentence 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, 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 the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Caitlin A. Loughran is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Penn Hills Police Department and the Monroeville Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

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

Former Utah CEO Sentenced to Prison for Tax Evasion

Used Nominee to Hide Income and Concealed Information from his Return Preparer

A former CEO of a Salt Lake City, Utah, company was sentenced today to 12 months and 1 day in prison for tax evasion, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney John W. Huber for the District of Utah.

Peter Nordberg, 62, of Alameda, California, pleaded guilty in September 2017 to tax evasion.  According to court documents, Nordberg was the Chief Executive Officer of Max International, a company that produces and markets nutritional supplements directly and through independent associates and distributors.  As an employee of Max International, Nordberg earned a salary and commissions equal to a percentage of sales. Nordberg caused Max International to pay his bonus income to a nominee entity he established, and used a bank account in the name of the nominee entity to pay personal expenses.  Nordberg concealed the bonus income and nominee entity from his return preparer and filed false tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that underreported his income.  Nordberg’s conduct caused a tax loss of approximately $275,000.

In addition to the term of prison imposed, U.S. District Court Judge Dee Benson ordered Nordberg to serve 1 year of supervised release and to pay $354,770 in restitution to the United States Treasury.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman and U.S. Attorney Huber thanked special agents of IRS Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation, and Tax Division Trial Attorney Matthew Hoffman and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ruth Hackford-Peer, who prosecuted the case.