A Cleveland, Ohio resident has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for drug trafficking and unlawful possession of a firearm. Kareem Middlebrook, 43, received the sentence from United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan on December 18, 2025. After his release from prison, Middlebrook will serve eight years of supervised release.
According to court information, between December 2021 and March 2023 in the Western District of Pennsylvania, Middlebrook conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute significant quantities of cocaine, fentanyl, and crack cocaine. In May 2022, he was found possessing fentanyl with the intent to distribute it. Authorities intercepted Middlebrook on a federal wiretap as he obtained drugs that were later distributed.
Additionally, during this period in May 2022, Middlebrook—who had previously been convicted of a felony—illegally possessed a firearm. Federal law prohibits convicted felons from possessing firearms or ammunition.
Assistant United States Attorney Arnold P. Bernard Jr. prosecuted the case for the government.
First Assistant United States Attorney Troy Rivetti acknowledged several agencies for their roles in the investigation: “I commend the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Laurel Highlands Resident Agency and Homeland Security Investigations for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Middlebrook.” He also noted participation by other agencies including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation; United States Postal Inspection Service; Indiana Borough Police Department; and local law enforcement.
This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159. The HSTF brings together multiple government agencies to combat criminal cartels and transnational organizations involved in crimes such as drug trafficking and human smuggling within the United States and abroad. The task force emphasizes prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or crimes involving children and works to remove violent criminal aliens from the country. In Western Pennsylvania, agents from both FBI and Homeland Security Investigations participate in HSTF operations under leadership from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania.
