Leader of PA to WV heroin trafficking network sentenced to nearly 11 years in prison

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Christopher T. Gyorko, 31, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today to 130 months in prison for orchestrating a multi-state heroin trafficking operation, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

Gyorko coordinated and managed a drug trafficking operation designed to transport heroin across state lines from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania into Ohio and Marshall Counties in West Virginia, as well as locations in Ohio. Authorities disrupted the heroin trafficking scheme in June 2015 when Gyorko, along with five other individuals, were charged in an 18-count federal indictment. One additional defendant was charged in federal court by criminal Information. Six additional defendants were charged in state court in West Virginia.

Gyorko pled guilty in November 2015 to one count of “Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Heroin.” As part of the sentenced imposed today, Gyorko was also ordered to forfeit his interest in a 2007 Chrysler 300M vehicle.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Vogrin prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Marshall County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, and the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated.

U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey presided.