PITTSBURGH, Pa. – In a resounding blow to the drug trade, Jeffrey Lee Hancock Jr., 41, of the Braddock neighborhood in Pittsburgh, has been sentenced to serve 100 months in federal prison for his involvement in drug trafficking and illegal firearm possession, announced Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti.
Hancock, who was arraigned on September 2, 2025, before Judge William S. Stickman IV, admitted to conspiring to distribute between 280 and 400 grams of fentanyl, a substance known for its lethal potency. The sentence handed down by Judge Stickman—reflecting the gravity of Hancock’s crimes—underscores the government’s commitment to dismantling drug trafficking operations.
The investigation leading to Hancock’s conviction began on April 25, 2024, when law enforcement executed a search warrant at his residence. As FBI and Pennsylvania State Police agents entered, they were met with a dramatic scene; Hancock hurled a bag containing approximately 50 bricks of fentanyl from the second story window. Inside the home, investigators discovered an additional 200 bricks of the deadly drug, $2,902 in cash, and two handguns, which Hancock was prohibited from possessing due to his prior felony convictions.
Addressing the court, Judge Stickman characterized Hancock as a “recidivist drug trafficker and illegal gun user,” who had poisoned the community with his actions. The judge emphasized that the sentence, at the high end of the advisory guideline range, serves as a stark warning to those considering a life of crime: a career in criminality will be met with severe federal penalties.
Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca L. Silinski prosecuted the case on behalf of the government, while Acting United States Attorney Rivetti commended both the FBI and Pennsylvania State Police for their dedication and hard work that led to Hancock’s successful prosecution.
This sentence is a testament to the ongoing efforts by federal agencies to combat drug trafficking and illegal gun use in our communities. It sends a clear message that those who engage in such activities will face significant consequences.
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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