Duquesne Man Admits Possessing Heroin With Intent To Distribute It
PITTSBURGH, Pa. ‑ A resident of Duquesne, Pa., pleaded guilty in federal court on Monday to a charge of violating federal drug laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Demetrius Pirl, a/k/a Meech, 40, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Joy Flowers Conti.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on June 20, 2007, a car that Pirl was operating was stopped by officers of the Allegheny County District Attorney's Violent Crime and Firearms Task Force. As the officers approached the car, they saw Pirl hand a plastic bag to the front seat passenger. Pirl advised the officers that his license was under suspension. Pirl and the passenger were ordered from the car. As the passenger was exiting the vehicle, the bag fell, spilling its contents on the floor of the vehicle. The bag contained several bundles of heroin. Pirl's person was searched and police recovered a bag of heroin and $2,334 in currency. The total amount of the heroin weighed 22.10 grams.
Judge Conti scheduled sentencing for Dec. 10, 2010, at 3 p.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 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 offense and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Michael L. Ivory is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Pirl.
