Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Turtle Creek Teen Pleads Guilty to Possessing Loaded AR-15 and Handgun to Protect Crack Cocaine and Heroin Distribution
PITTSBURGH, Pa – A former resident of Turtle Creek, PA pleaded guilty in federal court yesterday to federal narcotics and firearms charges, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
William Thomas Spencer, age 19, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin, and one count of possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes before United States District Judge David S. Cercone.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on February 11, 2017, North Versailles police conducted a traffic stop on Spencer while he was driving a BWM SUV. Police then found a large amount of crack cocaine on Spencer’s person and heroin inside the center console of the car. In the cargo area in the back of the SUV, police recovered a loaded Bushmaster AR-15 assault rifle and a loaded handgun.
Judge Cercone scheduled sentencing for February 1, 2019. The law provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to life in prison, a fine of $2,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior record, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Timothy M. Lanni is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Agency, the North Versailles Police, and the Duquesne Police conducted the investigation that led to the guilty plea in this case.