Hill District’s Pickle Faces Decade Behind Bars for Gun Law Violation

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – In a gritty Pittsburgh courtroom, Ernest ‘Pickle’ Harris, a notorious Hill District resident, was handed a decade-long sentence for violating federal firearm laws, according to United States Attorney David J. Hickton.

Harris, also known as Michael Young and Michael Ford, aged 42 at the time of sentencing on February 15, 2013, was seen brandishing a loaded 40 S&W caliber Glock pistol at the Aces and Deuces bar in 2011. His criminal history included previous convictions for assault, stolen property, theft, drug dealing, threats, and firearms, making him ineligible under federal law to possess ammunition or a firearm.

The court heard that Harris acknowledged his extensive criminal record and involvement in multiple shootings, stating that he was part of the ‘concrete Vietnam’ of street life. Despite acknowledging past shootings and even a self-defense killing, Harris showed no remorse for his actions, leading United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer to impose the maximum sentence of 10 years federal incarceration.

Assistant United States Attorney Ross E. Lenhardt led the prosecution against Harris. The firearm used in Harris’s case was also linked to the murder of 19-year-old Stephon Green in the Hill District. Other suspects are facing their own charges, including Kedrin ‘Hoody’ Turner and Calvin ‘CK’ Kane III.

In related developments, Bafata ‘B’ Sullivan, the owner of the gun used by Kane, died under natural causes before facing federal firearms charges. Another Hill District felon, Carl ‘Baby Kong’ Stitt, pleaded guilty to violating federal firearms laws and awaits sentencing on April 26, 2013.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a collaborative effort by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to prevent, deter, and prosecute gun crime. U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Allegheny County Department of Labs, and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police for their investigation in bringing Harris to justice.