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Press Release

Pittsburgh Man Charged with Possession of Heroin and Synthetic Opioids

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Pennsylvania

PITTSBURGH - A resident of the City of Pittsburgh has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of distributing and possessing with intent to distribute heroin and synthetic opioids, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

The two-count Indictment named Shawn B. Nichols, aka Smitty, 26, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment presented to the court, Nichols distributed and possessed with intent to distribute quantities of a mixture containing detectable amounts of furanyl fentanyl, and/or U-47700, and/or heroin, which are Schedule I controlled substances, on or about August 11, 2017, and August 14, 2017.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 30 years in prison, a fine of $2,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Special Assistant United States Attorney Jerome A. Moschetta is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

Task Force Officers with the Drug Enforcement Administration, as well as members of the Canonsburg Police Department, Washington County Sheriff’s Department, and Washington County District Attorney’s Office Drug Task Force, 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.

Updated December 26, 2017

Topic
Opioids