Pittsburgh Man Charged with Distributing Fentanyl

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of violating federal narcotics laws, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

The one-count indictment named Jacob Palaski, 26, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment, on or about July 9, 2016, Palaski distributed and possessed with intent to distribute a quantity of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 20 years in prison, a fine not to exceed $1,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Katherine A. King is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Peters Township Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.