Pittsburgh Felon Pleads Guilty to Possession of Firearm and Trafficking of Fentanyl and Heroin

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court on February 3, 2026, to charges of violating federal firearms and narcotics laws, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

Jamar Perminter, 26, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan to one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon and one count of possession with intent to distribute a quantity of fentanyl and a quantity of heroin.

In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, on July 31, 2025, law enforcement executed search warrants of Perminter’s person, residence, and two vehicles, and recovered a loaded and chambered 9mm pistol, a firearm magazine, and 9mm ammunition. In addition, law enforcement recovered dozens of bricks of fentanyl/heroin, a digital scale, multiple cell phones, and approximately $84,000 in United States currency from Perminter’s home and vehicles. Perminter has previously been convicted in federal court of possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base and a quantity of heroin. Federal law prohibits possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon.

Judge Horan scheduled sentencing for May 27, 2026. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 45 years in prison, a fine of up to $2,250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendant. Perminter will remain in custody pending sentencing.

Assistant United States Attorney Kelly M. Locher is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Stowe Township Police Department, McKees Rocks Police Department, and Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Perminter.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.