Eighty-Four, Pa. Man Pleads Guilty In Oxycodone Trafficking Scheme

PITTSBURGH - A Washington County resident pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal narcotic laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Andrew Brown, 23, of Eighty Four, Pa., pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab.

In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that Brown conspired with others to possess with the intent to distribute and distribute oxycodone, a Schedule II controlled substance. In that regard, the Court learned that Brown passed a number of fraudulent oxycodone prescriptions at pharmacies in the Western District of Pennsylvania. Brown then provided the obtained oxycodone to charged co-defendant David Best, who later resold this oxycodone. David Best has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.

Judge Schwab scheduled sentencing for May 13, 2014, at 9 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of not more than $1,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Eric S. Rosen is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Andrew Brown.