Laurenti James Robertson, Heroin Dealing and Gun Possession, Pennsylvania 2017

PITTSBURGH – A Monessen felon has been found guilty of dealing heroin and possessing illegal firearms, federal authorities announced today.

Laurenti James Robertson, 27, pleaded guilty to all four charges lodged against him before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon.

Robertson was caught by local police officers on October 19, 2015, in a rental car in possession of 158 stamp bags of heroin and $1,315.00 in cash.

Just five days later, on October 24, 2015, other local police officers stopped Robertson after he had an argument in High Roller’s bar in Homestead, Pa. Police located one stamp bag of heroin on his person and 14 additional stamp bags hidden in the area behind the navigation unit in the dashboard of the SUV.

Police also located a loaded 9mm caliber semiautomatic Kel-Tec pistol behind the navigation unit. The Allegheny County Department of Laboratories was able to recover Robertson’s fingerprints from the firearm.

Robertson must also forfeit property to the government, including the $1,315.00 found in his possession. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendant.

Robertson will be sentenced on Friday, October 13, 2017, at 10:00am. The law provides for a total sentence of at least 5 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $2,500,000, or both.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) worked with local police departments, including the Canonsburg Police Department, the Monessen Police Department, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the Pennsylvania State Police and the Washington County District Attorney’s Office, to bring Robertson to justice.

Pending sentencing, the court ordered Deputy United States Marshals to take Robertson into federal custody. Assistant United States Attorney Ross Lenhardt of the Violent Crimes Section will prosecute this matter on behalf of the government.

Mandatory Facts:

Defendant: Laurenti James Robertson

Criminal Charges: Heroin dealing and illegal gun possession

City and State: Monessen, Pennsylvania

Date: October 19, 2015 (arrest) and October 24, 2015 (additional charges)

Sentence: Up to life in prison, a fine of up to $2,500,000, or both, pending sentencing on October 13, 2017

Dollar Amounts: $1,315.00 in cash and a loaded 9mm caliber semiautomatic Kel-Tec pistol

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