Antwon Shamar Bonner, Heroin and Firearms Offenses, Pennsylvania 2019

A former Allegheny County resident has pleaded guilty to violating federal narcotics and firearms laws in a case brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).

Antwon Shamar Bonner, 21, formerly of Penn Hills, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to possessing with intent to distribute a quantity of heroin, a Schedule I controlled substance, and to possessing firearms in furtherance of that drug trafficking crime. The guilty plea was entered in federal court in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

According to the plea agreement, on July 12, 2019, agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) served a search warrant at Bonner's residence in Penn Hills, Allegheny County. During the search, agents located approximately 36 'bricks' (constituting approximately 1,800 individual dosage units) containing mixtures of both heroin and fentanyl, which are scheduled controlled substances under federal law.

In addition to the narcotics, agents seized approximately $2,000 in U.S. currency, four loaded and operational firearms, one of which had an obliterated serial number, assorted ammunition, and high-capacity firearms magazines. Bonner admitted to possessing those firearms in furtherance of the drug trafficking crime charged in the indictment.

Bonner is currently in the custody of the United States Marshal, where he has been held following his arrest by ATF agents on July 12, 2019. Sentencing is scheduled for April 23, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. The law provides for a total sentence of not less than five (5) years and up to life in prison, a fine not to exceed $1,250,000, or both.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Bonner. Assistant United States Attorney Jerome A. Moschetta is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime. PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa/pr/penn-hills-man-pleads-drug-and-firearms-offenses-project-safe-neighborhoods-case