By Patrick Cloonan

Published: Friday, January 4, 2013, 4:46 a.m.
Updated: Friday, January 4, 2013

One of the leading rushers in Duquesne High School history has been indicted on a charge of conspiracy to distribute heroin.

U.S. Attorney David J. Hickton announced on Thursday that a federal grand jury handed down an indictment against Shane Brooks, 26, of Duquesne.

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan T. Conway, Brooks conspired with others between December 2010 and January 2012 to distribute one or more kilograms of heroin.

Hickton said state police and the FBI investigated the matter. A spokeswoman for the U.S. attorney said Brooks could face a sentence of 10 years to life in prison and/or up to $10 million in fines if convicted.

Brooks is scheduled for arraignment on Wednesday at 9:15 a.m. before Magistrate Judge Robert C. Mitchell in Pittsburgh.

Since his college days, Brooks has had a series of run-ins with police.

During a traffic stop on Jan. 25, 2009, Pittsburgh police arrested Brooks on a felony count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.

That and related charges were withdrawn and in May 2009 he pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct.

In November 2009 Baldwin police charged Brooks with possession of marijuana. That charge eventually was withdrawn and the following month he again pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct.

Pittsburgh police stopped Brooks again on a charge of possession of marijuana in February 2010. That charge was withdrawn and Brooks again pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct in April 2010.

Brooks pleaded guilty on two counts related to dog licensing and vaccinations in February 2012.

Brooks played on four different teams in his high school and college days. During his freshman year at Wilson Christian Academy Brooks played for South Allegheny.

Over the next three years he attended Duquesne. In 2004, he rushed for 1,545 yards and 13 touchdowns on 219 carries in leading the Dukes to the WPIAL Class A quarterfinals.

After gaining 3,958 yards on high school fields, Brooks earned a scholarship to the University of Pittsburgh.

In 2006 the 5-foot-11, 220-pound Brooks ranked second among Pitt backs with 218 yards on 50 carries in seven games, including one start. He ran for a career-high 67 yards on 22 carries in a 33-15 win over Cincinnati.

However, Brooks was overshadowed by the emergence of LaRod Stephens-Howling, who rushed for 1,000 yards in 2006, and the arrival of LeSean McCoy in 2007.

He transferred to Indiana University of Pennsylvania after the 2007 season. He played regularly in 2008 but was hampered in 2009 by an ankle injury.

Brooks was named the 2005 athlete of the year by longtime Duquesne City school board president DeWayne Tucker.

Patrick Cloonan is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-664-9161, ext. 1967, or pcloonan@tribweb.com.

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