PITTSBURGH, PA. — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Pennsylvania, Western), published as received.
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Castle Shannon, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal narcotics and firearms laws, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
The three-count Indictment named Vaughn James, 40, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment, on or about June 14, 2023, James possessed with intent to distribute quantities of mixtures and substances containing fentanyl, fluorofentanyl, protonitazene, heroin, MDMA, cocaine, and crack cocaine. The Indictment also alleges that James possessed a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking crime and possessed a firearm and ammunition after having been convicted of multiple prior felonies, including for state drug trafficking and firearms offenses. Federal law prohibits possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 20 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $10.5 million, 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 V. Joseph Sonson is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Pennsylvania State Police Drug Law Enforcement Division’s Southwest Strike Force Unit and Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
