Ohio Man Pleads Guilty to Trafficking Cocaine from a Butler Apartment

PITTSBURGH, PA -- A former resident of Columbus, Ohio, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of violating federal narcotic laws, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.

Keith Massey, age 40, pleaded guilty to two counts before United States District Judge David S. Cercone.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that between May 2018 and December 2018, the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General and Butler County Drug Task Force conducted an investigation into Keith Massey and Marshall Grimes, a known drug dealer from Columbus, Ohio, who was operating in Butler, Pennsylvania. Throughout the investigation, law enforcement conducted several controlled purchase operations from Massey out of an apartment in Butler. On Dec. 11, 2018, law enforcement recovered approximately 200 grams of cocaine, digital scales, and indicia for Massey in the apartment.

Judge Cercone scheduled sentencing for May 23, 2023, at 11:00 am. The law provides for a term of imprisonment not more than 20 years, a fine of $1,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, the court continued Massey on bond.

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

The Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General and Butler County Anti-Drug Task Force conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Massey.