PITTSBURGH, PA – Jason Hunter, 42, of Los Angeles, California, is trading the California sunshine for a federal prison cell after being sentenced to 11 years behind bars. The sentence, handed down by United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak, stems from Hunter’s role as a major supplier of cocaine to the hardscrabble streets of Pittsburgh. Hunter pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, effectively ending a years-long investigation.
The case dates back to 2013 when the FBI launched a multi-agency wiretap operation targeting drug trafficking and associated violence in Pittsburgh’s Homewood neighborhood. The investigation quickly revealed Hunter as the source, funneling kilogram quantities of cocaine eastward via the United States Postal Service. While Pittsburgh investigators were building their case, the Drug Enforcement Administration in Los Angeles was simultaneously looking at Hunter, uncovering a significant operation on the West Coast.
DEA agents raided Hunter’s car and residence in Los Angeles, seizing a substantial haul of cocaine, heroin, cash, and jewelry. This parallel investigation corroborated the evidence gathered in Pittsburgh, solidifying the case against Hunter. The combined efforts of federal and local law enforcement painted a clear picture: Hunter wasn’t just moving drugs, he was a key link in a larger, coast-to-coast criminal network.
Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song made it clear this wasn’t an isolated incident. “Jason Hunter was the final defendant in this multi-defendant case,” she stated. “In total, 38 individuals were indicted and have now pleaded guilty.” The sheer scale of the operation underscores the persistent challenge of combating drug trafficking and the complex web of individuals involved.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tonya Sulia Goodman and Caitlin Loughran skillfully prosecuted the case, navigating the complexities of a multi-jurisdictional investigation and securing the conviction. The successful prosecution of Hunter and the 37 other defendants is a testament to the power of collaborative law enforcement.
Acting U.S. Attorney Song extended praise to a long list of agencies involved in the takedown: the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Greater Pittsburgh Safe Streets Task Force, Wilkinsburg Police Department, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, Munhall Police Department, Duquesne Police Department, Monroeville Police Department, Allegheny County Police Department, West Mifflin Police Department, Bellevue Police Department, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Drug Enforcement Administration, Los Angeles Police Department and the Long Beach Police Department. The message is clear: a coordinated effort is crucial in dismantling these criminal enterprises and bringing those responsible to justice.
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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