Three individuals from Greensburg, Pittsburgh, and West Mifflin were indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on Mar. 26 for charges including federal robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, firearms violations, postal offenses, and narcotics crimes. United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced the indictments.
The case involves Armoni Burton of Greensburg (25), Ausaun Porter of Pittsburgh (22), and Lawrence Strothers Jr. of West Mifflin (21). According to the indictment, Burton was arrested by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agents in downtown Pittsburgh on March 25. The other two defendants are currently detained on state charges.
Prosecutors say the alleged crimes took place between late December 2025 and January 2026. On or about January 7, Burton and Porter are accused of carjacking a vehicle at gunpoint in White Oak and kidnapping its occupant. The indictment alleges they struck the victim several times, bound their wrists and ankles, threatened them with violence, stole marijuana from them, used their cell phone to demand ransom for release before attempting to place the bound victim in a dumpster in Greenfield neighborhood of Pittsburgh.
Burton faces additional charges related to robbing a postal delivery person on December 31 as well as possession with intent to distribute fentanyl; possession of stolen mail; and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana on January 21. Porter is also charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and conspiracy to distribute marijuana that same day. Strothers is charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
The law allows for maximum sentences ranging up to life imprisonment for Burton or Porter depending on conviction details; Strothers could face up to fifteen years if found guilty. Sentences will be determined according to federal guidelines based on offense seriousness and any prior criminal history.
Assistant United States Attorneys Katherine C. Jordan and V. Joseph Sonson are prosecuting the case. The investigation involved the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; United States Postal Inspection Service; and Pittsburgh Bureau of Police.
Rivetti said an indictment is only an accusation: “A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.”
