Affidavit in Support of a Criminal Complaint and Arrest Warrant — No. 2:21-cr-00472 (Dkt. 1-1, W.D. Pa.)

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An affidavit in support of a criminal complaint and arrest warrant, filed October 26, 2021 as Document 1-1 (6 pages) in United States v. Yadell Eric Jones, Magistrate No. 21-2097 (Case 2:21-cr-00472-RJC), in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, sworn by Special Agent Ryan Michael Rennig of the ATF. The affiant states there is probable cause to believe that on or about October 26, 2021 Jones, knowing he had previously been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, knowingly possessed a firearm in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1). It states that agents and task force officers executed four search warrants on October 26, 2021, and is sworn by telephone before U.S. Magistrate Judge Maureen P. Kelly.

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       Case 2:21-cr-00472-RJC            Document 1-1        Filed 10/26/21      Page 1 of 6




                   IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
                FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA

 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
                                                          Magistrate No. 21-2097
         v.

 Yadell Eric Jones

AFFIDAVIT IN SUPPORT OF A CRIMINAL COMPLAINT AND ARREST WARRANT

       I, Ryan Michael Rennig, a Special Agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms

and Explosives (ATF), being duly sworn, depose and state that:

       1.      I have been employed as Special Agent with the ATF for approximately sixteen

(16) years. I am currently assigned to the ATF Pittsburgh Field Office, Group II. As part of my

duties, I am authorized to conduct investigations of persons who engage in unlawful firearms

possession, acquisition and use as well as violent crimes and narcotics distribution.

       2.      I have been personally involved in dozens of firearms and narcotics investigations,

and as such I am familiar with the various methods used by prohibited persons to acquire firearms.

I have experience with a wide range of investigative techniques, including various types of visual

and electronic surveillance, the interception of wire communications, and the debriefing of

defendants, witnesses and informants, as well as others who have knowledge of the distribution

and transportation of controlled substances, controlled deliveries, use of search and arrest warrants,

management and use of informants, pen registers, the laundering and concealing of proceeds from

drug trafficking, and the street gangs who participate in these illegal activities.

       3.      The information contained herein is based upon my own personal investigation,

observations, and knowledge as well as upon the investigation, personal observations, and

knowledge of other law enforcement officers with whom I have discussed this case. For the

reasons set forth below, there is probable cause to believe that, on or about October 26, 2021, in
       Case 2:21-cr-00472-RJC          Document 1-1       Filed 10/26/21      Page 2 of 6




the Western District of Pennsylvania, Yadell Eric Jones, knowing he had previously been

convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, knowingly

possessed, in and affecting interstate commerce, a firearm, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1).

       4.      On October 26, 2021, agents and task force officers of the Drug Enforcement

Administration (DEA), ATF, Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, and officers from the

McKeesport Police Department executed four search warrants, which had been issued by the

Honorable Lisa Pupo Lenihan, United States Magistrate Judge, on October 22, 2021. Those search

warrants were for the following locations, with the associated Magistrate Case Numbers:

               a. 1837 Beech Street, McKeesport, PA 15132 (21-MJ-2054)

               b. 1206 Bank Street, McKeesport, PA 15132 (21-MJ-2055)

               c. A 2007 BMW sedan with PA Registration KRC0057 (21-MJ-2056); and

               d. The Person of Yadell Jones (21-MJ-2057).

       5.      On October 26, 2021, at approximately 6:00 AM, Pennsylvania OAG SRT

operators entered 1206 Bank Street. While they were securing the residence, they observed a

shotgun in the front room next to the front door. It is worth noting that this front room contained

a bed, and Yadell Eric Jones (JONES) was in this bed at the time operators made entry.

       6.      No one else was located inside the residence.

       7.      During the execution of the search warrant, the following firearms were recovered

from the following locations:

               a. A Glock Model 43 9mm pistol, bearing serial number BGKH523, loaded with

                   a magazine and 10 rounds, located in the front bedroom in a box on the floor

                   next to the head of the bed in which JONES was located, within arms’ reach of

                   JONES.
       Case 2:21-cr-00472-RJC           Document 1-1        Filed 10/26/21       Page 3 of 6




               b. A Remington 870 12 gauge shotgun, bearing serial number CC71208B, with 9

                    shells, located in the front bedroom, in the corner close to the front door.

               c. A Girsan MC 911 ST .45 ACP pistol bearing serial number T 6368-

                    19AB01747, with a magazine and five rounds of ammunition, located in the

                    kitchen in a wall cabinet above the countertop; and

               d. A Taurus PT111G2 9 mm pistol, bearing serial number T3017796 with two

                    magazines, one of which was extended, located in the same cabinet as the

                    Girsan pistol.

       8.      During the execution of the search warrant at 1206 Bank Street, investigators

located recovered several thousand dollars in cash, what appeared to be a marijuana grow

operation, as well as crack cocaine/compressed powder cocaine, and crack cocaine manufacturing

and distribution paraphernalia.

       9.      Specifically,

               a. Investigators recovered over $5,000 in cash in the desk/nightstand next to the

                    bed;

               b.   a Hydroponic marijuana grow operation on the second floor; all the equipment

                    was intact but the plants had been harvested. However, investigators recovered

                    approximately over one pound of marijuana from the Kitchen and from the front

                    bedroom.

               c. Investigators recovered suspected crack cocaine and potential compressed

                    powder cocaine in the front bedroom in which JONES was encountered,

                    between a desk and JONES’ bed, approximately less than four feet from JONES

                    and the Glock. This crack cocaine/powder cocaine was broken down into
       Case 2:21-cr-00472-RJC           Document 1-1        Filed 10/26/21      Page 4 of 6




                    several smaller knotted baggies, consistent with being ready for distribution.

                    Investigators did not observe any use paraphernalia for crack cocaine, though

                    they did observe partially smoked marijuana cigarettes.

               d. In the kitchen, investigators located a pot of water on the stove, a sifter in close

                    proximity to the stove, a digital scale. Vacuum sealed bags and a vacuum sealer

                    were located in the front bedroom. Potential cutting agents were located in the

                    kitchen as well as the front bedroom. DEA agents Schuller and Ellenberger

                    recognized these items as consistent with the manufacturing and distribution of

                    crack cocaine.

       10.     Additionally, throughout the residence, investigators recovered indicia for JONES,

including a large amount of mail and banking documents. Most if not all of the mail was addressed

to JONES, at the 1837 Beech Street location. The indicia was located throughout the first floor of

the residence, including a large amount in the front bedroom occupied by JONES, and in which

the Glock pistol and Remington shotgun were located (as well as the suspected crack

cocaine/cocaine).

       11.     Your affiant consulted with ATF Special Agent Manns who provided verbal

confirmation that both the Glock firearm and the Taurus firearm were manufactured outside of the

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and thus moved in and/or affected interstate commerce prior to

being recovered in 1206 Bank Street.

       12.     I have reviewed JONES’ criminal history, and he has the following criminal

convictions:
       Case 2:21-cr-00472-RJC          Document 1-1       Filed 10/26/21    Page 5 of 6




              a. 2004: Possession of between 50 and 2,000 pounds of marijuana (Texas State

                  Conviction), graded as a felony of the second degree, in violation of H.S.C.

                  481.121(b)(5).

              b. 2000: Possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance (“PWID”) (PA

                  State Conviction), in violation of 35 P.S. 780-113(a)(30), at Offense Tracking

                  Number (OTN) E 927869-5. JONES received sentence of 1 to 5 years of

                  incarceration for this offense.

              c. 1999: PWID (PA State Conviction) in violation of 35 P.S. 780-113(a)(30< at

                  Offense Tracking Number (OTN) F 057123-3. JONES received a sentence of

                  2 ½ years to 6 years of incarceration for this offense.

       13.    I am aware that PWID is a felony offense punishable by more than one year of

incarceration in Pennsylvania. Furthermore, I believe that JONES is so aware, as he was sentenced

to more than one year of incarceration for his priors PWID convictions.

       14.    I am aware, therefore, that as a result of these convictions, JONES is prohibited

from possessing a firearm under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1).
          Case 2:21-cr-00472-RJC        Document 1-1        Filed 10/26/21     Page 6 of 6




                                          CONCLUSION

          10.    Based upon the above information, your affiant submits that there is probable cause

to believe that, on or about October 26, 2021, in the Western District of Pennsylvania, Yadell Eric

Jones, knowing he had previously been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a

term exceeding one year, knowingly possessed, in and affecting interstate commerce, a firearm, in

violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1).


          The above information is true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information and
belief.


                                                   Respectfully submitted,

                                                   /s/ Ryan Michael Rennig
                                                   RYAN MICHAEL RENNIG
                                                   Special Agent
                                                   Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and
                                                   Explosives



Sworn and subscribed before me, by telephone
pursuant to Fed. R. Crim. P. 4.1(b)(2)(A)
this 26th of October, 2021


______________________________
THE HONORABLE MAUREEN P. KELLY
United States Magistrate Judge


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