Three Washington County Residents Charged in Drug Trafficking Scheme

PITTSBURGH—Two residents of Washington, Pennsylvania and one resident of Houston, Pennsylvania have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal drug laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

The four-count indictment, returned on December 12 and unsealed today, named Michael Sutton, 30, of 21 West Spruce Street, Washington, Pennsylvania; John Wright, Jr., 32, of 310 Weirich Avenue, Washington, Pennsylvania; and Zachary King, 22, of 217 Allison Avenue, Houston, Pennsylvania, as the defendants.

According to the indictment, from in and around January 2011, and continuing thereafter to in and around June 2012, Sutton, Wright, King, and others conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. Additionally, Sutton is charged with two separate instances of distribution and possession with intent to distribute less than 28 grams of cocaine base (commonly known as crack) in and around Washington, Pennsylvania; and King is charged with one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute less than 500 grams of cocaine.

The law provides for a sentence of not less than 10 years to a maximum of life in prison, a fine of $10,000,000, or both. 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 Attorney Barbara K. Swartz is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

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