Man on Bond for State Charges Admits Committing Federal Drug Crime
| U.S. Attorney’s Office April 25, 2012 |
PITTSBURGH—A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty in federal court on April 24, 2012 to a charge of violating federal narcotics trafficking laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Paul Wilkins, 21, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that from January 2010 to March 3, 2011, Wilkins conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute at least 60 grams of heroin while he was on bond in four separate state court cases involving heroin trafficking, heroin possession, and gun possession.
Judge Schwab scheduled sentencing for September 10, 2012 at 9:30 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the 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; the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Pittsburgh Police Department; the United States Postal Inspection Service; the Pennsylvania State Police; the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office; the Ross Township Police Department; the Canonsburg Police Department; and the Allegheny County Police Department investigated this case.