McKees Rocks Man Charged With Distributing Heroin Which Resulted In Death
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of McKees Rocks, Pa., has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
The four-count superseding indictment named Saul Lopes-Viera, 24.
According to the indictment, on three occasions, May 21 and 27, 2010, and March 8, 2011, Lopes-Viera possessed with intent to distribute and distributed heroin. Also, Lopes-Viera is charged with conspiring to possess with intent to distribute and distribute heroin from in or around January 2011 to on or about March 8, 2011, which resulted in the death of a person.
The law provides for a maximum sentence of not less than twenty years imprisonment and up to life, a fine of $4,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Barbara K. Swartz is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and Canonsburg Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the superseding indictment in this case.
An indictment or information is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
In a separate matter, Lopes-Viera pleaded guilty on June 7, 2011, to violating the federal immigration laws. In that case, Lopes-Viera admitted to entering the United States illegally following a prior deportation.
