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

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Residents of Pennsylvania and Ohio were indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of violating federal narcotics laws, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

The Indictment named Raheem Hurst, 25, of Garfield Heights, OH; Samantha Jones, 40, of Arnold, PA; and Leah Jackson, 37, of New Kensington, PA, as the defendants.

According to the Indictment presented to the court, from September 2022, and continuing thereafter to March 2, 2023, Hurst, Jones, and Jackson conspired to possess with intent to distribute and distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine.

The law provides for a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $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 the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Arnold P. Bernard, Jr. is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

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.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Laurel Highlands Resident Agency and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case. Additional agencies participating in this investigation include the the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and other local law enforcement agencies.

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