Butler, PA Drug Dealer Gets Federal Prison Sentence that Begins After His Pending State Cases are Resolved

PITTSBURGH, PA – On Thursday, December 16, 2021, a former resident of Butler, Pennsylvania, was sentenced in Pittsburgh on a charge of violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.

Charles Perkins, age 27, was sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release. This sentenced was imposed by Judge Joy Flowers Conti on one count of possession with intent to distribute a quantity of fentanyl and a quantity of cocaine base, in the form commonly known as crack.

In connection with a change of plea hearing, the government informed the Court that on August 6, 2020, the Pennsylvania State Police conducted a traffic stop on a silver Ford sedan due to non-functioning brake lights at South Duffy Road and New Castle Road in Butler, Pennsylvania. Law enforcement identified Charles Perkins as the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle. While speaking with Mr. Perkins, the trooper observed, in plain view, marijuana on the front passenger seat and several stamp bags in a plastic bag on the floor behind the driver’s seat. Mr. Perkins admitted that the plastic bag behind the front passenger seat was his. Subsequently, the trooper detained Mr. Perkins and conducted a search of the vehicle. The searched resulted in the seizure of cocaine base, fentanyl packaged within 300 stamp bags, and $965.00. Law enforcement advised Mr. Perkins of his rights, which he waived. Mr. Perkins admitted to being on his way to Butler City to sell the seized substances. Mr. Perkins also stated that he knew he would be going to prison and that he would immediately begin distributing again upon release because there was too much money to stop.

The defendant was remanded into the custody of the U.S. Marshals to be returned to the Butler County Prison. The defendant is pending five cases in the Butler County Court of Common Pleas. He will begin his federal sentence upon resolution of the pending cases.

Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

United States Attorney, Cindy K. Chung commended the Pennsylvania State Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration for conducting the investigation leading to the prosecution of this case.