Eight Individuals Charged with Cocaine and Fentanyl Trafficking

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

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - Eight individuals from Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio, California, and Massachusetts have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal narcotics and firearm laws, First Assistant United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

The 12-count Superseding Indictment names the following individuals as defendants:

According to the Superseding Indictment, on or about May 28, 2024, Castillo is alleged to have unlawfully possessed with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, while, on or about June 6, 2024, Escalona also unlawfully possessed with the intent to distribute five kilograms of cocaine. The Superseding Indictment also charges that, on June 27, 2024, the defendants all conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and 400 grams or more of fentanyl, and that, on the same date, Lyman possessed with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and 400 grams or more of fentanyl, with Lyman, Jackson, and Clifford all also possessing a firearm as previously convicted felons and in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Federal law prohibits possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon. Additionally, on that date, Jackson possessed with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and Clifford possessed with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.

For Lyman and Clifford, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 15 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $20 million, or both. For Jackson, East, Sanchez-Polanco, Castillo, Escalona, and Gonzalez-Diaz, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 10 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $10 million, or both. In relation to the firearms charges for Lyman, Jackson, and Clifford, the law provides for a maximum sentence of not less than five years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense(s) and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Katherine C. Jordan is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. The HSTF for the Western District of Pennsylvania comprises agents and officers from the Drug Enforcement Administration and Internal Revenue Service, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

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