Hustlas Don’t Sleep Drug Gang Defendant Pleads Guilty

PITTSBURGH, PA – An incarcerated individual pleaded guilty in federal court a charge of violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.

Curtis Saxton-Smith, age 32, no known address, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl at count one of the Indictment before United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Saxton-Smith was a participant along with approximately 20 other individuals in the Hustlas Don’t Sleep (HDS) Drug Trafficking Organization. The HDS Organization operated out of the Penn Hills, Wilkinsburg and Monroeville areas selling drugs including fentanyl, heroin and cocaine. Saxton-Smith was one of the regular sellers on behalf of the organization. Saxton-Smith was otherwise referred to as “Big J”.

Judge Horan scheduled sentencing for March 22, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of not less than five (5) years in prison, a fine of $5,000,000, 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.

Pending sentencing, the court remanded the defendant back into the custody of the U.S. Marshals.

Assistant United States Attorney Brendan T. Conway is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

This prosecution is a result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles high-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten communities throughout the United States. OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.