Carla Brown Sentenced to 30 Months for Cocaine Trafficking

A Pittsburgh woman has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for her role in a cocaine trafficking operation.

Carla Brown, 45, of Pittsburgh, was convicted on charges of conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute cocaine in a federal court. On May 31, 2024, U.S. District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner handed down the 30-month sentence to Brown.

The investigation that led to Brown’s conviction began on May 14, 2020, when the Pennsylvania State Police conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in which Brown was a passenger in Lebanon County. During the stop, police seized approximately 350 grams of cocaine and $5,020 in U.S. currency.

The driver of the vehicle, William Shaw, was also convicted on charges of conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute cocaine and was sentenced to 60 months in prison. The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Pennsylvania State Police, with Assistant United States Attorney Scott R. Ford prosecuting the case.

The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by bringing together law enforcement and community organizations. The program has four core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in communities, supporting community-based organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring results.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Brown’s conviction is a significant blow to the city’s cocaine trafficking network. The sentence is a reminder that those involved in drug trafficking will face serious consequences for their actions.

Carla Brown’s 30-month sentence is a result of her involvement in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine, a felony crime that carries severe penalties. The case demonstrates the commitment of law enforcement agencies to take down cocaine trafficking operations and bring those responsible to justice.