PITTSBURGH, PA – Vernon Jackson, 49, a Pittsburgh man with a history of dealing death, has once again admitted to peddling poison. Jackson pleaded guilty yesterday to one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, proving that a prior federal conviction for heroin trafficking wasn’t enough to keep him off the streets.
The bust went down on March 8, 2018, when detectives from the City of Pittsburgh Narcotics and Vice Unit raided Jackson’s Pioneer Avenue residence in the Brookline neighborhood. Jackson was home alone, surrounded by the tools of his trade: multiple bags of cocaine, two digital scales, and packaging materials all found in the kitchen. It was a classic dealer’s den, and Jackson was caught red-handed.
What makes this case particularly galling? Jackson was already on federal supervised release at the time of the raid. Released for a previous heroin trafficking conviction, he apparently decided to double down on his criminal enterprise. The system gave him a second chance, and he spat in its face.
U.S. District Judge Joy Flowers Conti will hand down Jackson’s sentence on September 10, 2019. He’s looking at a maximum of 30 years behind bars, plus a $2,000,000 fine. However, the actual sentence will be determined by federal sentencing guidelines, taking into account the severity of the crime and Jackson’s extensive criminal history. Considering his track record, a lengthy sentence is almost guaranteed.
Assistant United States Attorney Timothy M. Lanni is leading the prosecution, determined to hold Jackson accountable for his actions. Jackson remains detained and will stay that way until sentencing. This case underscores the relentless cycle of drug trafficking and the challenges facing law enforcement in keeping repeat offenders off the streets.
Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and provide updates as Jackson’s sentencing approaches. The question remains: will this finally be enough to deter Vernon Jackson from returning to his life of crime? Only time – and the judge’s decision – will tell.
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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