Squirrel Hill Man Charged with Attempting to Possess Fentanyl Analogue

PITTSBURGH – One resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of attempting to possess with intent to distribute butyryl fentanyl, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

The one-count indictment, returned on September 12 and unsealed on September 19, named Aaron Frankel, 31, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment, on or about August 17, 2017, Frankel attempted to possess with intent to distribute 10 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of butyryl fentanyl, a Schedule I controlled substance. Butyryl fentanyl is an analogue of fentanyl that is temporarily controlled under Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 5 years and up to 40 years in prison, a fine not to exceed $5,000,000, 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 Caitlin A. Loughran is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The United States Postal Inspection Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, 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.