Tarentum Drug Dealer Pleads Guilty To Gun And Drug Charges

PITTSBURGH -A resident of Tarentum, Pa., has pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of federal drug and firearms offenses, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Curtis Veasley, 33, pleaded guilty on Jan. 14, 2013, to four counts before United States District Judge Terrence F. McVerry.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that the defendant stored and sold both crack cocaine and heroin from his Tarentum residence. When police searched the home they found drugs, guns, ammunition, a bullet-proof vest and $7,540 in cash. As a felon, the defendant is precluded from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

Judge McVerry scheduled sentencing for May 17, 2013, at 9:30 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of up to 70 years in prison, a fine of $3,250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the criminal history of the defendant.

The court remanded Veasley back to jail to await sentencing.

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

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Tarentum Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Curtis Veasley.