Merlereace Garnett Carter-Burkes Jr., Cocaine Trafficking, Pennsylvania 2022

A suburban Pittsburgh man has been sentenced to five years in prison for his role in a cocaine trafficking operation, according to federal authorities.

Merlereace Garnett Carter-Burkes Jr., 32, of Penn Hills, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on February 18, 2022 in federal court to 60 months in prison, followed by four years of supervised release, for his conviction of violating federal narcotics laws. United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced the sentencing.

According to court documents, Carter-Burkes Jr. was stopped by officers from the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police on February 18, 2022 for traffic violations. During the stop, the officers developed probable cause to search his vehicle, which led to the discovery of a semi-automatic pistol and five large vacuum-sealed baggies containing approximately 563 grams of cocaine.

The cocaine seizure was a significant one, exceeding the 500-gram threshold that triggers federal charges. Carter-Burkes Jr. was charged with possessing with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C).

Assistant United States Attorney Brendan T. Conway prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. United States Attorney Chung commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police for their investigation into the case.

Carter-Burkes Jr. will begin serving his sentence immediately. The case is a stark reminder of the ongoing threat posed by cocaine trafficking in our region and the importance of collaborative law enforcement efforts in combating it.

The 5 years prison sentence imposed on Merlereace Garnett Carter-Burkes Jr. reflects the severity of the offense and the need to hold accountable those who engage in such activities.

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