SHARON, PA – Zachariah Owens, 37, is headed back to prison for a long stretch after a federal judge slammed him with 188 months – more than 15 and a half years – for running a cocaine trafficking operation out of his Sharon apartment. The sentencing, handed down by U.S. District Judge Cathy Bissoon, comes on top of a lengthy criminal history already marked by violent armed robberies.
Owens pleaded guilty in October 2021 to conspiracy to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine, and to possession of both substances with intent to distribute. But the details revealed in court paint a particularly disturbing picture. Federal prosecutors laid out evidence showing Owens wasn’t just dealing drugs; he was doing it from a residence teeming with children. His stash of cocaine and crack, along with a loaded pistol, were easily accessible to them.
“The defendant operated a cocaine trafficking scheme from his apartment in Sharon, where several children resided,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office stated. “In doing so, he placed both his cocaine and his loaded pistol in locations where the children easily could have accessed them, in addition to exposing the children to other well-known dangers of drug trafficking.” The recklessness of putting kids in harm’s way clearly factored into the severity of the sentence.
This isn’t Owens’ first rodeo with the justice system. For nearly fifteen years prior to this conviction, he was either locked up in state prison or on state parole for two separate armed robbery convictions – in 2015 and again in 2006. Clearly, a pattern of violent crime and disregard for the law has defined his adult life. The judge also ordered six years of supervised release following his prison term, hoping to steer him away from a life of crime, though history suggests that’s a long shot.
The investigation that led to Owens’ conviction was a collaborative effort, involving the Mercer County Drug Task Force, the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig W. Haller led the prosecution. U.S. Attorney Eric G. Olshan praised the agencies involved for their work in taking a dangerous criminal off the streets.
While 188 months won’t erase the damage Owens inflicted on the community, it’s a significant victory for law enforcement. The case serves as a stark reminder that those who endanger children while peddling poison will face serious consequences. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the ongoing fight against drug trafficking in Western Pennsylvania.
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Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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