Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Braddock Felon Charged with Illegally Possessing Heroin and Guns
PITTSBURGH – A former resident of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal drug and firearms laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
The three-count indictment, returned on July 10, named Javell R. Garner, a/k/a "Vell", a/k/a "Trill", age 25, of Braddock, Pennsylvania, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment, in May 2017, Garner possessed a .22 caliber semi-automatic Phoenix Arms pistol; and on June 14, 2018, he possessed a .45 G.A.P. caliber semi-automatic Springfield Armory pistol and .45 G.A.P caliber ammunition, after having been convicted of previous felony drug trafficking offenses. The Indictment further alleges that on June 14, 2018, Garner possessed with intent to distribute heroin, a Schedule I controlled substance.
The defendant faces a maximum total penalty of up to 40 years in prison, a fine of $1,500,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Ross E. Lenhardt is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted the investigation leading to theiIndictment in this case with valuable assistance from the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, the Port Authority Police Department, the Allegheny County Housing Authority, the Braddock Police Department, and the Pennsylvania State Police. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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