Texas Man Pleads Guilty in 21-Defendant Drug Distribution Conspiracy

PITTSBURGH, PA. - A resident of Texas pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiring to distribute narcotics, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Cameron Ranson, 43, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring with 20 other individuals, between March and June 2017, to distribute narcotics. In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Ranson, traveled from Texas to Clairton, Pennsylvania, for the purpose of distributing quantities of heroin to his codefendant, Skyler Carter, and others. He accepted responsibility for the distribution of between 20 and 40 grams of heroin. He is the twelfth of 21 defendants charged in the case to enter a plea of guilty.

Judge Arthur J. Schwab scheduled sentencing for September 18, 2018, at 10:30 a.m. The law provides for a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of not more than $1 million, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will depend upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. Ranson remains incarcerated pending the sentencing hearing.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the multi-agency investigation of this case, which also included the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, the Allegheny County Police Department, and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. The investigation was funded by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises. Assistant United States Attorney Carolyn J. Bloch is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.