Pittsburgh Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing a Fentanyl Analogue

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A former resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of possession with intent to distribute 10 grams or more of a fentanyl analogue, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

William Lewis, 30, pleaded guilty to one count before Senior United States District Court Judge David S. Cercone.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that, on August 5, 2017, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police executed a search warrant on the defendant’s residence in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh. Inside of the home, police found a quantity of suspected heroin and "cut" which tested positive for 56 grams of cyclopropyl fentanyl. The search also revealed 225 stamp bags of packaged cyclopropyl fentanyl, stamped "Ferrari." Lewis also had 19 stamp bags that tested positive for straight fentanyl. Packaging paraphernalia was also found.

Judge Cercone scheduled sentencing for October 9, 2019. Judge Cercone ordered Lewis to remain detained pending sentencing. The law provides for a term of imprisonment of not less than 5 years to a maximum of 40 years. A fine not to exceed $5,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

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

The Department of Homeland Security Investigations, the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Lewis.