2 men convicted of Cranberry Township armed drug robbery
Two former Allegheny County men were convicted by a federal jury Monday for an armed drug robbery in Cranberry Township in which a man was shot.
Kahlil T. Shelton, 23, formerly of Duquesne, and Deron Howell, 25, formerly of Swissvale, were convicted of violating federal drug, robbery and firearms laws. The jury deliberated for less than half an hour following the trial before United States District Court Judge Billy Roy Wilson in Pittsburgh, according to a press release from the United States District Court, Western District of Pennsylvania.
They are scheduled for sentencing Oct. 1, with Shelton facing a maximum sentence of not less than 7 years and up to life in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Howell faces a total maximum sentence of not less than 30 years and up to life in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both, according to the press release.
Authorities said the incident occurred on Aug. 7, 2017, when Howell, Shelton and a third unknown person robbed two people of marijuana at a home on Marshall Road in Cranberry Township.
Township police said the men set up the deal to buy six pounds of marijuana. After they arrived, Shelton went to the bathroom and returned with a gun, firing a shot into the floor before holding the gun on two men and stealing the marijuana.
One of the victims struggled with Shelton before attempting to run from the house. Before the second victim could flee from the house, the third unknown accomplice shot the victim through the chest, but he survived, according to the press release.
Police said the man, 29, from Westmoreland County, underwent surgery at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh.
Also in the house at the time was a 6-year-old boy who ran into a bedroom to hide, police said.
The three suspects then ran out of the house and drove off in a silver car. They made off with at least a pound of marijuana, police said.
Casings and slugs from the spent rounds and “some evidence of drugs” were recovered from the house, police said. Shelton was arrested Aug. 8 in McKeesport, Allegheny County.
