A Pittsburgh resident was sentenced in federal court following his earlier guilty plea to various crimes, including cocaine trafficking and the unlawful possession of firearms. United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced the sentencing of Anthony Bentley, 45, a/k/a Poundcake, on February 18, 2021.
Bentley was sentenced to four years of imprisonment followed by four years of supervised release. He has been detained since his arrest on August 28, 2018. The charges against Bentley include one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine, one count of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, two counts of money laundering, and one count of possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon.
The investigation found that Bentley engaged in a drug trafficking conspiracy involving 500 grams or more of powder cocaine. He admitted to distributing approximately 489 grams of cocaine to a cooperating informant on October 20, 2015. Bentley also laundered the proceeds of his cocaine trafficking through certain financial transactions, including the purchase of real estate in the Pittsburgh area.
The recovered firearms included an AK-47 semi-automatic rifle and an M16 fully automatic machinegun. Pursuant to a written plea agreement, Bentley accepted responsibility for engaging in money laundering in connection with three additional real estate transactions dating back to 2013, as well as his possession of the machinegun.
As part of his sentence, Bentley agreed to forfeit various items of jewelry and approximately $218,000 in cash seized during a search of his home. He also agreed to an additional forfeiture money judgment in the amount of $75,000. Assistant United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
The prosecution is a result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation, which is a collaborative effort between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. The task force, which includes the Allegheny County Police Department, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, and the Pennsylvania State Police, uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach to combat criminal networks.
In total, Bentley’s crimes resulted in the seizure of over $293,000 in cash and assets. His guilty plea and subsequent sentencing are a significant blow to the organized crime networks operating in the Pittsburgh area. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of continued cooperation between law enforcement agencies in the fight against crime.
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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