Three Western Pennsylvania Residents Charged with Robbery, Carjacking, Kidnapping, Firearms, Postal, and Narcotics Violations in Connection with Winter Crime Spree

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - Three individuals from Greensburg, Pittsburgh, and West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of federal robbery, carjacking, robbery, and violations of firearms, postal, and other laws, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

The 14-count Indictment named Armoni Burton, 25, of Greensburg; Ausaun Porter, 22, of Pittsburgh; and Lawrence Strothers Jr., 21, of West Mifflin as defendants. Burton was arrested by agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in downtown Pittsburgh on March 25, 2026, while the other defendants are currently detained on state charges.

According to the Indictment, the defendants committed a series of crimes from late-December 2025 through January 2026. On or about January 7, 2026, Burton and Porter are alleged to have carjacked a vehicle at gunpoint in White Oak and kidnapped its occupant, striking the victim several times, binding the victim's wrists and ankles, threatening the victim, stealing marijuana from the victim, and using the victim's cell phone to place at least one call to demand ransom for the victim's release before they attempted to place the victim, bound, in a dumpster located in the Greenfield neighborhood of Pittsburgh. The Indictment charges Burton and Porter with kidnapping, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, carjacking, robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime in relation to this incident.

Burton is additionally charged with the robbery of a postal delivery person on December 31, 2025, as well as possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession of stolen mail, and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana on January 21, 2026. The Indictment further charges Porter with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and conspiracy to distribute marijuana on January 21, 2026. Strothers is charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon on January 21, 2026.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to life in prison, a fine of up to $1 million, or both for Burton; up to life in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both for Porter; and up to 15 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both for Strothers. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorneys Katherine C. Jordan and V. Joseph Sonson are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, United States Postal Inspection Service, and Pittsburgh Bureau of Police conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.