United States Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan announced today, November 18, 2008, that Jamie Luiz Lightfoot, a/k/a Jammie Luis Arnold, a resident of Donora, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of violating federal narcotics and money laundering laws.

Lightfoot, age 37, pleaded guilty to 2 counts before Senior United States District Judge Gustave Diamond.

In connection with the guilty plea, Assistant United States Attorney Michael L. Ivory advised the court that on February 9, 2007, Lightfoot distributed and possessed with intent to distribute less than 500 grams of cocaine.  Also, on July 17, 2007, Lightfoot used drug money to purchase a diamond ring.

Judge Diamond scheduled sentencing for February 17, 2009, at 10:00 a.m.  The law provides for a total sentence of thirty (30) years in prison, a fine of $,250,000, or both.  Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, the court ordered that Lightfoot remain detained without bond.

A federally administered Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force comprised of members drawn from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, officers from the Donora, Monessen, Charleroi Police Department, and the Fayette County District Attorney's Office Drug Enforcement Task Force conducted the investigation leading to the to the prosecution of Jamie Luiz Lightfoot, a/k/a Jammie Luis Arnold.