Pittsburgh Man Pleads Guilty to Drug and Gun Charges
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court today to violating the federal narcotics and firearms laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Ryan Lee Wade, age 29, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon to unlawfully possessing a quantity of heroin with the intent to distribute it and to possessing a firearm in furtherance of that drug trafficking crime, on or about August 12, 2016.
In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that on August 12, 2016, investigators with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police served a search warrant at a residence on Hammond Street in the Sheraden neighborhood of Pittsburgh. There, narcotics detectives located Wade, a quantity of heroin that was packaged for distribution, drug paraphernalia commonly used in the packaging of heroin for distribution, a large sum of U.S. Currency, and a loaded .40 caliber pistol. In connection with his plea, the Defendant admitted to possessing the heroin with intent to distribute it, and to possessing the firearm in furtherance of the charged drug trafficking crime.
Judge Bissoon scheduled sentencing for April 2, 2020 at 2:15 p.m. The law provides for a total sentence of not less than five years and up to life in prison, a fine not to exceed $2,250,000, 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. Pending sentencing, the Court ordered Wade to remain detained, and remanded him back to the custody of the United States Marshall.
Assistant United States Attorney Jerome A. Moschetta is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Wade.
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