Carnegie Man Involved in High-Speed Chase Charged with Possessing Heroin Packaged for Resale

U.S. Attorney’s Office
Western District of Pennsylvania
28 June 2016

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PITTSBURGH – An Allegheny County resident has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of possession with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, a Schedule I controlled substance, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

The one-count superseding indictment named William Thompson, 33, of Carnegie, Pennsylvania.

According to information presented to the court, on Aug. 7, 2015, law enforcement officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Thompson, who was driving a Porsche Cayenne without a valid license. Thompson refused to stop and fled from officers. A high-speed chase with speeds of more than 100 miles per hour ensued. Thompson eventually crashed and abandoned his vehicle. Officers searched the vehicle and discovered in excess of one kilogram of heroin packaged for re-sale.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 10 years and a maximum of life in prison, a fine of $20,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Brendan T. Conway is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Greater Pittsburgh Safe Streets Task Force consisting of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Allegheny County Sheriff's Office, Wilkinsburg Police Department, Allegheny County Police Department, Oakdale Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the superseding indictment in this case.

A superseding indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.