Former Braddock Man Admits Selling Drugs While Awaiting Trial on Federal Drug Charge

PITTSBURGH—A former resident of Braddock, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of violating federal drug laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Eugene Wright, a/k/a Easy, 25, pleaded guilty yesterday to three counts before United States District Judge Joy Flowers Conti.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that the original investigation revealed that Wright was a part of a larger drug trafficking organization and that Wright sold 28 grams of crack on April 16, 2008. Wright was later arrested again after selling one-eighth of an ounce of crack cocaine on Feb. 14, 2011, and one-half of an ounce of crack cocaine on Feb. 28, 2011, while on house arrest awaiting trial on the original drug trafficking charges.

Judge Conti scheduled sentencing for Nov. 4, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of up to 80 years of incarceration, a fine of $6,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Ross E. Lenhardt is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation Greater Pittsburgh Safe Streets Task Force (GPSSTF), the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Violent Crime and Firearm Task Force (VCFTF), which is comprised of investigators from the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Department, the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, and the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office Narcotics Enforcement Team, and the West Mifflin Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Wright.