Pennsylvania Man Sentenced to 3 Years in Prison for Conspiring to Distribute Heroin and a Fentanyl Analogue

PITTSBURGH - A former resident of Allentown, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to a term of imprisonment of three years, to be followed by three years of supervised release, on his conviction of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and a fentanyl analogue, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer imposed the sentence yesterday on Donte Spence, age 21, formerly of Allentown, Pennsylvania.

According to information presented to the court, on November 3, 2016, agents from the Homeland Security Investigations, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Monroeville Police Department, became aware of potential heroin trafficking occurring in Rooms 238 and 305 of the Days Inn, located in Monroeville, Pennsylvania. Surveillance was established and federal search warrants for Rooms 238 and 305 were obtained.

Officers apprehended Donte Spence and another individual in Room 238. When investigators arrived, Spence swiped a large amount of drugs off a desk causing the substances to become airborne. As a result, several members of law enforcement sought medical attention. Fortunately, they did not sustain any injuries. Investigators could plainly see powder heroin on at least two tables, a Magic Bullet blender and blenders full of heroin, and packaged heroin. Also found in the room was United States currency, packaging paraphernalia, and personal items. Another individual was apprehended in Room 305 with bagged and packaged heroin. Between the two rooms, over 200 grams of heroin containing furanyl fentanyl (a fentanyl analogue) were seized.

Assistant United States Attorney Shanicka L. Kennedy prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

The Department of Homeland Security, the Pennsylvania State Police and the Monroeville Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Spence.