Clairton Man Pleads Guilty in Cocaine Trafficking Conspiracy

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Clairton, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court to conspiring to distribute narcotics, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Samuel Lopresti, 56, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy, between March and August 2017, to distribute cocaine. In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Lopresti was responsible for the distribution of between 400 and 500 grams of cocaine, which he purchased from his codefendant, Skyler Carter, in the Clairton, Pennsylvania area. He is the third of 21 defendants charged in the conspiracy to enter a plea of guilty.

Judge Arthur J. Schwab scheduled sentencing for July 11, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. The law provides for a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of not more than $250,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will depend upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. Lopresti remains on bond pending the sentencing hearing.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the multi-agency investigation of this case, which also included the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, the Allegheny County Police Department, and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. The investigation was funded by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises. Assistant United States Attorney Carolyn J. Bloch is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.