United States Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan announced today, June 3, 2008, that Lazono Fernando Deamues, a/k/a Polo, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on a charge of violating the federal drug laws.

The one-count indictment named Deamues, age 34, of Detroit, Michigan, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment presented to the court, from in or around the Fall of 2006 until in or around February 2008, in the Western District of Pennsylvania and elsewhere, Deamues conspired with others to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of crack cocaine.

Assistant United States Attorney Troy Rivetti, who presented the case to the grand jury, indicated that the law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than ten (10) years and up to life in prison, a fine of $4,000,000, 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.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Sharon Police Department and the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.