July 11, 2014

Allegheny County Man Pleads Guilty to Violating Federal Gun and Drug Laws

PITTSBURGH—Dustin Petry, an Allegheny County resident, was convicted of conspiring to distribute heroin and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Petry, 27, pled guilty before United States District Judge David S. Cercone. Judge Cercone scheduled sentencing to occur on Nov. 13, 2014, at 11 a.m.

In support of the guilty plea, the Court was informed that Petry would receive heroin from his source of supply, he would distribute it to his customers, and he would then pay his source of supply back for the heroin and wait to be supplied with more. Between July 2013 and October 2013, Petry possessed a pistol in furtherance of the heroin trafficking conspiracy. Petry possessed the pistol to, among other things, protect his person, his proceeds, and his heroin from robbery.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of at least five years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $1,250,000, 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 Craig W. Haller is prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office led the multi-agency investigation of this case that also included the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Moon Township Police Department, the North Fayette Police Department, the Pittsburgh Police Department, the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, the Pennsylvania State Police, the McKees Rocks Police Department, the Cranberry Township Police Department, the McKeesport Police Department, and the Wilkinsburg Police Department.