Aliquippa Coke King Gets 16+ Years

PITTSBURGH, PA – Edward Harris, 38, formerly of Aliquippa, is trading the streets for a federal prison cell after receiving a 200-month sentence – that’s 16 years and 8 months – for a multi-year reign peddling cocaine. U.S. District Judge Maurice B. Cohill handed down the sentence today, along with a five-year supervised release tacked onto the end of his confinement.

Harris wasn’t a one-time offender. The feds say he was actively conspiring to move at least five kilograms of cocaine back in May 2012. But that wasn’t his first rodeo. Harris was already out on bond for separate cocaine possession with intent to distribute charges stemming from incidents in June 2010 and January 2011. Apparently, court-ordered restrictions aren’t much of a deterrent when the profit margins are high.

The case, built by a coalition of law enforcement agencies, demonstrates a clear pattern of disregard for the law. Harris allegedly continued his criminal enterprise *while* facing charges for previous offenses, highlighting a brazenness that clearly didn’t impress Judge Cohill. The details of the conspiracy weren’t immediately released, but the sheer volume of cocaine involved suggests a significant operation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig W. Haller led the prosecution, bringing the full weight of the federal government against Harris. U.S. Attorney David J. Hickton praised the collaborative effort of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Pennsylvania State Police, the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, and the Penn Hills Police Department. These agencies worked together to unravel Harris’s network and secure the convictions.

This isn’t just about taking one dealer off the streets; it’s a message. Federal prosecutors are clearly signaling they won’t tolerate repeat offenders, especially those involved in large-scale drug trafficking. The 200-month sentence sends a clear warning to anyone considering a similar path: the risk isn’t worth the reward.

Harris’s future now lies within the federal Bureau of Prisons. While the exact location of his incarceration hasn’t been disclosed, it’s a safe bet he won’t be enjoying the view. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on any further developments. The streets of Aliquippa are a little less saturated with poison today, but the war on drugs is far from over.