Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Pittsburgh Man Gets 15-Year Prison Sentence for Illegally Possessing Drugs and Firearms
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Denver Sangster, 43, formerly of Pittsburgh, was sentenced on Tuesday to 15 years’ imprisonment after a jury found him guilty in May of violating federal narcotics and firearms laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
According to information provided to the court, on March 30, 2016, City of Pittsburgh narcotics detectives and SWAT operators and federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents searched Sangster’s home on Orin Street in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. During the search, law enforcement found substantial amounts of marijuana, cocaine, and crack cocaine in different areas of Sangster’s home. Law enforcement also found four firearms on the property, including two pistols, a revolver, and a tactical rifle. All of the firearms were loaded to maximum capacity. After a three-day trial in May, a unanimous jury convicted Sangster of possession with the intent to distribute 280 grams or more of crack cocaine, and quantities of cocaine and marijuana. The jury also convicted Sangster of possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
On October 2, 2019, United States District Judge David S. Cercone sentenced Sangster to 10 years’ imprisonment for the drug trafficking crime and five years’ imprisonment for the firearms crime. According to Judge Cercone, federal law requires the two sentences to be served consecutively, which resulted in a final sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment.
Assistant United States Attorneys Brendan Conway, Adam Hallowell, and Brian M. Czarnecki prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Brady commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Sangster.
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