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Cocaine Ring Busted in Pittsburgh
Three Pittsburgh residents have been charged in a major cocaine distribution ring, federal authorities announced today.
Richard Stuart Wright, 74, and his wife, Michele Lynn Connell, 47, along with Walter John Amman, III, 66, were indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
According to court documents, several controlled purchases of cocaine were made from persons involved in the conspiracy, allowing federal agents to secure search warrants for the residences of Wright, Connell, and Amman, as well as a storage garage near Wright’s house, bank accounts, and safety deposit boxes.
A total of more than 5 kilograms of cocaine, some converted to crack, was located, along with over $600,000 in cash, numerous firearms, multiple vehicles, Harley Davidson motorcycles, and drug packaging materials.
Prepackaged amounts of cocaine were found in a fireman’s jacket with Amman’s name on it in his residence, and additional packaged amounts were located in his truck. These prepackaged quantities were color-coded by their weight and contents, consistent with the prepackaged drugs in Wright’s residence and nearby garage.
Federal authorities have also filed court documents to forfeit Wright’s Daytona Beach, Florida, residence, alleging that it was purchased with laundered money from Wright’s drug trafficking.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 10 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $40,000,000, or both, for the drug charges faced by Wright and Amman, while Connell and Wright also face a maximum total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $500,000, or both, for the money laundering charge.
Assistant United States Attorney Ross E. Lenhardt is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.
Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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