Man found guilty in drug trial
An Allegheny County man was convicted of conspiring to deliver crack cocaine following a one-day jury trial in Butler County Court Wednesday.
Brandon M. Johnson-Jetter, 36, of Homestead was found guilty by the jury on charges of felony conspiracy to commit possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance during the trial before Judge William Shaffer.
Johnson-Jetter was also acquitted by the jury of two felony possession with intent charges.
He was initially charged with four felony counts each of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance. The conspiracy count, to which he was found guilty, was later added, and two of the possession with intent counts were later withdrawn before the case went to trial.
Following the verdict, Shaffer revoked Johnson-Jetter's $50,000 bail.
“The Court finds that the defendant poses a danger to any other person or the community. Accordingly, bond is revoked and the defendant is committed pending sentencing,” Shaffer's order states.
He continues to be held in the Butler County Prison, and is scheduled for sentencing April 12.
The Butler County Drug Task Force filed the charges against Johnson-Jetter after an investigation into suspected heroin and crack cocaine trafficking at the apartment in the 500 block of Hansen Avenue, Lyndora, on Nov. 4, 2016.
Following the execution of a search warrant at the home, police said 69 stamp bags of suspected heroin and 16 baggies of suspected crack were found, and Johnson-Jetter was found carrying $693 in currency.
While at the apartment, investigators spoke to the tenant, Lydia M. Bowman, 43, who admitted she had allowed Johnson-Jetter to use her apartment to sell drugs, documents said.
The arrangement, which had been ongoing for three months, allowed Bowman the chance to earn money for rent by also dealing drugs that Johnson-Jetter supplied, police said.
Bowman previously pleaded guilty to felony possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance Sept. 5.
That was a straight plea, or one with no agreement as far as sentencing recommendations, leaving the sentence solely up to the judge at the time of sentencing, which is scheduled April 4.
Bowman also was initially charged with misdemeanor counts of possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia, which were withdrawn as part of the plea.
She was arraigned and released on her own recognizance.
Johnson-Jetter's attorney, John Bongivengo, did not return a message for comment
Assistant District Attorney Benjamin Simon, was unable to be reached following the conviction.
