Pagans’ Associate Pleads Guilty to Trafficking Cocaine and Illegally Possessing Firearms and Ammunition | USAO-WDPA

PITTSBURGH, PA – A retired Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania resident pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking and firearms violation charges, U.S. Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman said today.

Jason Evans, 44, formerly of Earl Street, Pittsburgh, PA, pleaded guilty to two counts before US District Judge Robert J. Colville on July 23, 2021.

In connection with the admission of guilt, the court was informed that Mr. Evans had been identified as a member of a large-scale drug trafficking operation in the Western District of Pennsylvania and Ohio responsible for trafficking in cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin. The investigation was the result of efforts by the Greater Pittsburgh Safe Streets Task Force, led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, to identify the criminal activities, including drug and arms trafficking, of individuals who were members and / or partners of a violent, lawless motorcycle gang , known as Pagan’s Motorcycle Club (PMC).

The Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation began in January 2020, and from August 2020 to November 2020 the FBI conducted a federal Title III investigation that resulted in the interception of thousands of wired and electronic communications for a total of ten Phones including co-defendants Bill Rana and Eric Armes who were PMC members.

Evans, although not a member of the PMC, was a close associate of Rana who was a “fully patched” member of the PMC and Sergeant of Arms of the Pittsburgh Chapter. Rana is charged with conspiracy on both counts and his phone has been tapped for approximately 90 days. Investigators also received search warrants for Rana’s Facebook account, which provided law enforcement with many offensive messages, carried out controlled purchases of controlled substances and, among other things, physically and electronically monitored Mr. Evans.

Evans assumed responsibility for distributing 309 grams of cocaine and the investigation found Evans was able to do business for Rana in the medium term.

In addition, the court was informed that on December 8, 2020, the law enforcement authorities issued numerous federal arrest and search warrants in connection with the termination of these investigations. In particular, police conducted a search warrant of Evans’ apartment and confiscated about 10 ounces of cocaine, as well as two firearms, ammunition, magazines and over $ 10,000.

Since Evans, a convicted felon, is banned from possession of firearms and ammunition, he also pleaded guilty to other charges related to the firearms.

Judge Colville scheduled the sentencing for December 2, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. The law provides for an aggregate penalty for drug charges of no more than 30 years in prison, a fine of $ 2,000,000, or both. The law also provides for an aggregate penalty for gun possession charges of no more than 10 years in prison, a fine of $ 25,000, or both. According to the Federal Constitutional Guidelines, the penalty actually imposed depends on the seriousness of the crime and, if applicable, the criminal record of the accused.

US Assistant Attorney Rebecca L. Silinski is pursuing this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the inter-agency investigation into this case, which included the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force, the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General Bureau of Narcotics Investigations. Other aid agencies include the Allegheny County Police Department Homicide Squad, Baldwin Police Department, Brentwood Police Department, McKees Rocks Police Department, Stowe Township Police Department, and West Deer Township Police Department.

These charges are the result of an investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles high-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations threatening communities across the United States. OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-gathering, cross-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.