PITTSBURGH — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle), published as received.

PITTSBURGH – A former resident of Pittsburgh, PA, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh and charged with violations of the federal robbery, extortion, firearms, and narcotics laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

The seven-count Superseding Indictment named Kevin Harris, age 37, as the defendant.

According to the Superseding Indictment, from in and around September 1, 2017 to September 18, 2018, Harris conspired to possess with the intent to distribute and distribute marijuana. Also on September 18, 2018, Harris is charged with committing the offenses of attempted Hobbs Act extortion, Hobbs Act robbery, brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and/or a drug trafficking crime, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. According to information presented to the Court in previous hearings, the charges in this case stem from an attempted kidnapping of a victim over a drug debt on September 18, 2018 in Monroeville, PA.

The law provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 17 years in prison and up to life, a fine of $1,000,000 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, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Timothy M. Lanni is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation – Western District of Pennsylvania Opioid Task Force conducted the investigation leading to the Superseding Indictment in this case. 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 Sheriff’s Department, Allegheny County Police, Port Authority Police, Munhall Police Department, Stowe-Rox Police Department, and Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.

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