Edward Hicks, Crack Cocaine Trafficking, Pennsylvania 2024

Crack cocaine trafficking has landed one McKeesport resident in hot water, as Edward Hicks, age 31, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal narcotics laws.

According to Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song, Hicks pleaded guilty to one count before Senior United States District Judge Donetta W. Ambrose on Thursday, May 4, 2017.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that from in and around October 2012, and continuing thereafter to in and around November 2012, Hicks and others conspired to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of crack cocaine.

On November 6, 2012, and again on November 15, 2012, Hicks sold multiple ounces of crack cocaine to a confidential informant who was working with the Drug Enforcement Administration. Hicks has a prior state court felony drug-trafficking conviction, which will likely impact his sentencing.

Judge Ambrose scheduled sentencing for August 21, 2017, at 11:30 a.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than five years and not more than forty (40) years in prison, a fine of up to $5,000,000.00, or both.

Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant. Assistant United States Attorney Troy Rivetti is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and the West Homestead Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Hicks. As the sentencing approaches, the community will be watching to see how justice is served in this case of crack cocaine trafficking.

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