Arnold Resident Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl and Heroin Trafficking

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Arnold, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of fentanyl and heroin trafficking, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

Kevin Watson, 36, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge W. Scott Hardy to possession with the intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 100 grams or more of heroin.

In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, on April 26, 2019, Watson was pulled over by the Pennsylvania State Police for traffic violations, with a young child present in the back seat of Watson’s vehicle. When asked to get out of the vehicle, Watson sped away from the traffic stop and led officers on a high-speed chase that reached speeds of 115 mph. Eventually, Watson crashed the vehicle and fled on foot, leaving the child, who was not seriously injured, alone and unattended in the vehicle. Later, the Pennsylvania State Police obtained a search warrant for the vehicle, which revealed more than $100,000 of a mixture containing fentanyl and heroin in the trunk. Watson has an extensive criminal history that includes, among other convictions, three previous drug trafficking convictions, and was on parole at the time of this offense.

Judge Hardy scheduled sentencing for January 8, 2026. The law provides for a total sentence of not less than 10 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $10 million, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant. Pending sentencing, Watson will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service.

Assistant United States Attorneys Kelly M. Locher and Barbara K. Doolittle are prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States.

The Pennsylvania State Police and Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Watson.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.