Eight people from several states have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges related to cocaine and fentanyl trafficking, as well as firearm violations. The announcement was made by First Assistant United States Attorney Troy Rivetti.
The Superseding Indictment lists Derrick Lyman of McKeesport, Pennsylvania; Daniel Jackson of Penn Hills, Pennsylvania; Devlin Clifford of Monroeville, Pennsylvania; Robert East of Delaware, Ohio; Jose Sanchez-Polanco of Lawrence, Massachusetts; Ernesto Castillo of Lynwood, California; Ricardo Escalona of Winter Park, Florida; and Dionisio Gonzalez-Diaz of Homestead, Florida as defendants.
According to the indictment, Castillo allegedly possessed with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine on May 28, 2024. On June 6, 2024, Escalona is accused of unlawfully possessing with intent to distribute five kilograms of cocaine. The indictment further alleges that on June 27, 2024, all defendants conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute at least five kilograms of cocaine and at least 400 grams of fentanyl. On the same date, Lyman allegedly possessed both substances with intent to distribute them. Lyman, Jackson, and Clifford are also charged with possessing firearms as convicted felons and in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Federal law prohibits felons from possessing firearms or ammunition. Additionally on June 27th: Jackson is charged with possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine while Clifford is charged for possession with intent to distribute at least 500 grams.
If convicted on these charges: Lyman and Clifford face sentences ranging from a minimum of 15 years up to life imprisonment and fines up to $20 million each. Jackson, East, Sanchez-Polanco, Castillo, Escalona and Gonzalez-Diaz face sentences between ten years and life imprisonment plus fines up to $10 million each. For the firearm-related offenses involving Lyman, Jackson and Clifford the penalty could be not less than five years up to life imprisonment plus fines up to $250,000 per count. Actual sentences will depend on factors such as offense severity and prior criminal history under federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Assistant United States Attorney Katherine C. Jordan is prosecuting the case.
This prosecution falls under the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159 (“Protecting the American People Against Invasion”). The HSTF brings together agencies across government in an effort aimed at dismantling criminal cartels operating within the U.S., including foreign gangs and transnational organizations involved in crimes like human smuggling and trafficking. In Western Pennsylvania specifically agents from both the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) participate alongside prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for this district.
“An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.”
