Homestead Heroin Network Hit With New Charges

PITTSBURGH, PA – The streets of Homestead, Pennsylvania are a little less saturated with poison today after a federal grand jury delivered a fresh wave of indictments in a sprawling drug and gun case. U.S. Attorney David J. Hickton announced August 6, 2013, that superseding indictments were issued in six related cases, ratcheting up the pressure on a network allegedly responsible for flooding the area with heroin.

The original indictments, stemming from a year-long investigation involving federal, state, and local law enforcement, already implicated 34 individuals. These new charges add fuel to the fire, bringing in one additional defendant and layering on new firearms and drug trafficking counts. The feds aren’t messing around; they’re aiming to dismantle this operation from the ground up.

The first superseding indictment targets Brandon Thompson, 30, of Homestead, Pa.; Antonio Hardin, 32, of Monroeville, Pa.; James Walker, 44, of Homestead, Pa.; Joseph Thompson, II, 25, of Homestead, Pa.; Richard Wood, 34, of Homestead, Pa.; Gregory Harris, Jr., 24, of Homestead, Pa.; and Luther Harper, 27, of Homestead, Pa. They’re accused of conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin between April 2012 and February 2013. Brandon Thompson is further accused of brandishing and discharging firearms during the heroin conspiracy on or about August 12, 2012. Antonio Hardin faces additional charges including possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon on or about February 11, 2013. Richard Wood is charged with possession with intent to distribute heroin, while Walker and Hardin are accused of distribution and possession with intent to distribute. Ed Cook, previously indicted for discharging a firearm during the operation, has already pled guilty.

A second indictment names Troy Anderson, 24, of Braddock, Pa.; Mark Felder, 25, of Duquesne, Pa.; and Dorianne Harris, 20, of Wilkinsburg, Pa., alleging they conspired to distribute and possess one kilogram or more of heroin between May 2012 and March 2013. New to the charges against Anderson is possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime on or about March 14, 2013.

The third superseding indictment focuses on a younger crew: Sterling Marshall, 18, of Munhall, Pa.; Tireal Wheeler, 19, of Homestead, Pa.; and Jordan Murphy, 21, of Homestead, Pa. These three are accused of the same large-scale heroin conspiracy, but with a particularly disturbing twist – allegedly conspiring to employ minors to distribute the drugs. Marshall now faces a charge of possession with intent to distribute heroin on or about March 14, 2013. Andre Corbett, also initially indicted, has already admitted guilt to the counts against him.

The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are signaling they intend to see this case through to the bitter end. This isn’t just about locking up drug dealers; it’s about reclaiming Homestead from the grip of addiction and violence. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and bring you the unvarnished truth from the streets.