Detroit Man Sentenced to 5 Years for Role in Drug Conspiracy

PITTSBURGH, PA -- A resident of Detroit, Michigan has been sentenced in federal court to five years’ imprisonment and four years of supervised release on his convictions for violating federal narcotics laws, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

United States District Judge David S. Cercone imposed the sentence on Darryl Junior Ballard, age 27.

In connection with the earlier guilty plea, the Court was advised that in May of 2020, federal, state and local enforcement opened a joint investigation into a drug trafficking organization from Detroit, Michigan that was distributing controlled substances in and around Beaver County, Pennsylvania. Law enforcement identified the members of the conspiracy through the interception of members transporting controlled substances from Detroit into Beaver County, in addition to controlled purchase operations.

For example, on May 29, 2020, law enforcement utilized a confidential informant to purchase controlled substances from Ballard. The informant negotiated the purchase of heroin using a cellular phone and was directed to travel to an apartment in New Brighton to purchase the controlled substance. Upon entering the buy location, Ballard sold the informant heroin in exchange for pre-recorded funds. On June 5, 2020, law enforcement seized the same pre-recorded funds during the execution of a search warrant at an apartment used by members of the conspiracy.

In addition to this controlled purchase operation, law enforcement intercepted controlled substances transported by the conspirators on several occasions. For example, on Feb. 26, 2021, law enforcement conducted mobile physical surveillance on a vehicle entering Beaver County with co-defendant Devonte Amos and Ballard as passengers. When Amos and Ballard exited the vehicle in Beaver County, officers approached to question them. In response, Amos and Ballard both fled on foot. While fleeing, Amos threw a backpack containing approximately 170 net grams of a fentanyl/heroin mixture and 90 net grams of cocaine base.

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

Acting United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Drug Enforcement Administration, Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, and Pennsylvania State Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Ballard.