PITTSBURGH, Pa. – The previous police chief for Greensburg, Pennsylvania, pleaded responsible in federal courtroom to collaborating in a drug conspiracy, United States Legal professional Eric G. Olshan introduced at the moment.
Shawn Denning, 43, of Delmont, Pennsylvania, pleaded responsible earlier than U.S. District Choose Cathy Bissoon to at least one depend of conspiracy to distribute greater than 50 grams of methamphetamine and one depend of cocaine.
As a part of his responsible plea, Denning admitted that whereas serving as captain of the Greensburg Police Division and persevering with to function the division's chief, he conspired with others to distribute methamphetamine (within the type of pretend “Adderall” tablets) and cocaine to folks within the Western District of Pennsylvania and throughout the nation, together with in Georgia, Texas and Oklahoma. Denning boasted to a confidential DEA supply that he may join the supply with “heavy hitters” throughout the nation who would ship medicine by mail, then ship the menus and costs of the supply drug, guaranteeing the supply to the suppliers of medication, talk with suppliers, and in any other case facilitate drug transactions. In direction of the top of the investigation, Denning was recorded in an undercover operation discussing the drug conspiracy with the confidential supply and admitting his conduct.
Denning additionally admitted to conspiring with former Greenburg police officer Regina McAtee, whom Denning used to purchase medicine from suppliers after which as a supply of medication for himself when McAtee obtained the order. McAtee was charged in a separate prison info and is scheduled to plead responsible on Might 1, 2024.
“As a substitute of catching drug sellers, Shawn Denning selected to be one to take part in a cross-country methamphetamine and cocaine conspiracy,” mentioned US Legal professional Olshan. “Holding corrupt public officers accountable once they betray their oath to guard and serve the group stays a precedence of this workplace and our companions within the legislation enforcement group.”
Choose Bissoon scheduled sentencing for August 13, 2024. The legislation gives for a most whole penalty of not lower than 5 years and as much as 40 years in jail, a superb of as much as $5 million, or each. Below the federal Sentencing Pointers, the precise sentence imposed relies on the seriousness of the offense and the defendant's prior prison historical past, if any.
Assistant United States Legal professional Nicole Vasquez Schmitt is prosecuting this case on behalf of the federal government.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, america Postal Inspection Service, the Inside Income Service – Prison Investigation, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation carried out the investigation resulting in the Indictment on this case.
This prosecution is the results of an investigation by the Organized Crime Job Pressure (OCDETF). OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles high-level drug traffickers, cash launderers, gangs, and transnational prison organizations that threaten communities all through america. The OECDTF makes use of a prosecutor-led, intelligence-led, multi-agency method that leverages the strengths of federal, state and native legislation enforcement companies towards prison networks.
