Harrisburg bar owner Saqueena “Queenie” Williams, 46, was convicted by a federal jury on charges of running a multi-year cocaine trafficking ring from her establishment, Queenies Café, with fellow business owner Nyree “Gram” or “Grannie” Letterlough, 50. The jury found both guilty of drug trafficking, possession of firearms in furtherance of drug crimes, and possession of stolen weapons following a week-long trial before U.S. District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner.
According to evidence presented by U.S. Attorney John C. Gurganus, the drug operation spanned from 2012 to 2018, during which Williams orchestrated the distribution of at least five kilograms of cocaine. The operation used Queenies Café and Grams Grill—owned by Letterlough—as fronts to launder illicit activity and store narcotics and proceeds. Federal prosecutors detailed a network of dealers, surveillance, and encrypted communications used to evade law enforcement.
The case exploded open on February 1, 2018, when a coordinated sweep by multiple agencies led to the seizure of hundreds of grams of cocaine and crack, over $100,000 in cash, a white Bentley convertible, and multiple stolen firearms tied directly to the defendants. Investigators said the weapons were kept on-site at the businesses to protect the operation and intimidate rivals.
Williams was found guilty of possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking and possession of a stolen weapon. As part of the case resolution, she has surrendered all interests in Queenies Café, including its liquor license and associated properties. Letterlough was similarly convicted on all counts and relinquished her stake in Grams Grill and other assets seized during the investigation.
The investigation was led by the Pennsylvania State Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Harrisburg Police Department, with support from several other local and federal agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Consiglio and Samuel Dalke prosecuted the case as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the DOJ’s nationwide push to dismantle violent criminal enterprises through coordinated law enforcement action.
Both defendants now face a maximum penalty of life in prison, a term of supervised release, and steep fines. Sentencing will be determined by Judge Conner after reviewing federal guidelines, the severity of the offenses, and defendant histories. Neither the statutory maximum nor the guidelines guarantee the final sentence, which will weigh public safety, deterrence, and rehabilitation factors.
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Weapons|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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