Pittsburgh Man Charged with Heroin and Fentanyl Trafficking, Firearms Violations

PITTSBURGH – Michael Ginyard, Jr. has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh for heroin and fentanyl trafficking and committing related firearm crimes, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

The indictment charges Ginyard Jr., age 30, with committing the following crimes in January and February 2017: (1) possession of heroin and/or fentanyl with intent to distribute, (2) attempt to distribute heroin, (3) possession of a firearm and/or ammunition after five felony convictions for heroin and cocaine trafficking, and (4) possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of at least 20 years and up to life in prison and a fine of up to $6,750,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Craig W. Haller is prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States.

This case is being prosecuted under Project Safe Neighborhoods, a collaborative effort by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and communities to prevent, deter and prosecute gun crime. The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Penn Hills Police Department 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.