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Pittsburgh Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Cocaine Trafficking
PITTSBURGH – Robert Russell Spence, a former resident of the Duquesne and Pitcairn suburbs of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role in a massive cocaine trafficking operation. Spence, also known as “Little Russ” and “Slick,” was found guilty of violating federal narcotics and money laundering laws.
United States District Judge David S. Cercone imposed the sentence on Spence, 40, following his conviction. The IRS Criminal Investigations section and the DEA were major partners in the investigation, which involved multiple other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.
The investigation revealed a major drug distribution conspiracy that resulted in cocaine being transported to Pittsburgh and other areas from 2000 through 2010. The evidence at trial established that the conspiracy involved over 2,000 kilograms of cocaine and millions in laundered drug money.
Spence was the main recipient of the cocaine that came to Pittsburgh and was personally responsible for more than 1,500 kilograms of cocaine. Judge Cercone called Spence the “local fulcrum” of this large drug trafficking organization.
The conspiracy began using couriers to transport cocaine to Pittsburgh and money back to California. The investigation has revealed that between 2007 and 2010 at least 11 different couriers took approximately 200 airline flights for the conspiracy.
During the investigation, federal agents obtained search warrants and simultaneously executed them in multiple locations in Pittsburgh and California, including a warehouse in a undisclosed location. The evidence showed that the conspiracy arranged transportation of cocaine and/or money by means such as chartered private flights and vehicles including tractor trailers.
Spence’s sentence includes five years of supervised release following his imprisonment. The investigation and prosecution of this case were carried out by the United States Attorney’s Office, the DEA, and the IRS Criminal Investigations section, with the assistance of multiple other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.
Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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