PITTSBURGH, PA — A Sharon, Pennsylvania man’s dark dealings have come to light, leading to a hefty prison sentence. Zachariah Owens, 37, has been sentenced to a staggering 188 months in federal prison for his involvement in cocaine trafficking, as announced by United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan on Tuesday.
The ruling, handed down by United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon, doesn’t end with jail time. Following his release, Owens will be under the watchful eye of authorities for six years of supervised release. This comes after Owens pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute cocaine and crack in October 2021, and possessing these substances with the intent to distribute them near a school and playground, exposing the community’s children to unimaginable risks.
The court was informed of Owens’s audacious operation run from his apartment in Sharon, which shockingly doubled as a playground for several children. Owens not only stored his illicit drugs within easy reach of these innocent lives but also his loaded pistol, laying bare the horrifying reality of drug trafficking’s dangers on the doorstep of unsuspecting families.
Owens is no stranger to the law, having spent the majority of the last 15 years either behind bars or on parole for two violent armed robbery convictions dating back to 2015 and 2006. This latest sentence adds another dark chapter to his criminal career, highlighting a disturbing pattern of behavior.
Assistant United States Attorney Craig W. Haller led the charge in prosecuting this case, ensuring Owens faces the consequences of his actions. The successful prosecution was the result of collaborative efforts by the Mercer County Drug Task Force, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
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