Pittsburgh man charged with heroin distribution, firearm charges

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A federal grand jury sitting in Clarksburg, West Virginia, returned an indictment today charging Nyzhon N. Bell, 19, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with distributing heroin and illegally possessing a firearm, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

In May 2016, Bell allegedly distributed heroin in Harrison County, West Virginia. He was also in possession of a semi-automatic pistol that he used in furtherance of his heroin distribution operation. 

Bell was charged with one count of “Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin” and one count of “Possession of Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking Crime.” He faces up to twenty years in prison and a fine up to $1,000,000 for the distribution of heroin count and up to five years in prison and a fine up to $250,000 for the use of a firearm count. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
 
Assistant U.S. Attorney Traci M. Cook is handling the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Greater Harrison County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, is investigating.
 
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.