Investigative News Releases

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – On January 17, 2024, George Charlan, was sentenced to 15 years in prison, and Derek Hillebrand, was sentenced to 18 years. Charlan orchestrated a shipment of over 500 lbs of narcotics from California and Nevada Pennsylvania. Hillebrand received and distributed at least 440 lbs of narcotics to his customers. Charlan had Hillebrand to send over $1 million from PA to CA, and the remaining profits to Charlan. USPS – Office of Inspector General assisted in the investigation.

PITTSBURGH, PA – Danielle Gillam has been sentenced in federal court to two years of imprisonment followed by two years of supervised release on her conviction for violating federal narcotics laws. Gillam was a narcotics distributor who obtained methamphetamine from Derek Hillebrand, which Gillam then redistributed. United States Attorney Olshan commended the United States Postal Service – Office of Inspector General for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Gillam.

PITTSBURGH, PA – Kristy Lepionka has been sentenced in federal court to five years of imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release on her convictions for violating federal narcotics and firearms laws. Lepionka received parcels that were shipped from California to Pennsylvania containing methamphetamine. U.S. Attorney Olshan commended the United States Postal Service – Office of Inspector General for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Lepionka.

In total, law enforcement seized from Rodriguez a total of $455,308.83 in cash and from a bank account, jewelry appraised at $509,045, a 2019 Polaris Slingshot, a 2013 BMW X6, a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee, a 2020 Can Am Spyder Roadster, and a 2015 Toyota Sienna. The Task Force included members from the U.S. Postal Service – Office of the Inspector General.

PITTSBURGH, PA – A former resident of Stockton, CA, has been sentenced in federal court to 60 months of imprisonment on his conviction for violating federal narcotics laws. U.S. District Judge Christy Criswell Wiegand imposed the sentence on Abel Perez. Perez was a courier who transported methamphetamine to post offices in the Stockton, CA area that were shipped to individuals in the W. Dist of Penn. U.S. Attorney Olshan commended the United States Postal Service – Office of Inspector General.