July 14, 2015

Pittsburgh Man Pleads Guilty in FBI Safe Streets Task Force Investigation into Heroin Trafficking

PITTSBURGH—A Pittsburgh resident pleaded guilty in federal court to violations of the federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Natel Blessitt pleaded guilty to two counts before United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on March 5, 2014, and again on Sept. 23, 2014, Blessitt distributed and possessed with intent to distribute heroin.

Judge Schwab scheduled sentencing for Nov. 9, 2015, at 10 a.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Troy Rivetti is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the FBI Greater Pittsburgh Safe Streets Task Force, Wilkinsburg Police Department, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, Munhall Police Department, Duquesne Police Department, Monroeville Police Department, Allegheny County Police Department, West Mifflin Police Department, Bellevue Police Department, and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Blessitt.

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.