Baldwin Woman Pleads Guilty to Creating Fentanyl Synthesis Lab in a Pittsburgh Motel 6

PITTSBURGH, Pa – A resident of Baldwin, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a narcotics charge, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Angel Grannison, age 32, waived indictment and pleaded guilty to a one count information charging her with maintaining a drug involved premises before United States Chief District Judge Joy Flowers Conti.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on May 11, 2018, Allegheny County Police detectives and a Special Agent from the Drug Enforcement Administration in Pittsburgh responded to a Motel 6 in Pittsburgh to a complaint of a strong chemical odor coming from one of the rooms. When they responded, investigators found Grannsion in the room. In the bathroom of the room, Grannsion had set up a fentanyl synthesis lab using commercial chemistry equipment and using chemicals from China. Investigators also recovered numerous packages with Chinese return addresses, a ‘Chemistry for Dummies’ book, and a handwriting journal with notes on fentanyl production.

Judge Conti scheduled sentencing for February 12, 2019. The law provides for a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior record, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Timothy M. Lanni is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Allegheny County Police, the Allegheny County Crime Lab, the Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives conducted the investigation that led to the guilty plea in this case.