Washington Co. Woman Pleads Guilty in Conspiracy to Transport Fentanyl and Heroin from Central PA to Western PA for Distribution

PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Washington County, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating the federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Breanna M. Bane, age 27, of Fredericktown, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty yesterday o one count of conspiring to possess with intent to distribute and distribute 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl and heroin before Senior United States District Judge Joy Flowers Conti.

In connection with the guilty plea, Ms. Bane admitted that in and around March 2019, and continuing through May of 2019, she conspired with Harvey G. Hicks, Matthew L. Pearson, and with other persons both known and unknown, to possess with intent to distribute and distribute 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl and heroin. The Court was advised that in March, April, and May 2019, agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police surveilled Ms. Bane and her alleged co-conspirators travel from the Western District of Pennsylvania to areas in and around Harrisburg and Hershey, Pennsylvania, where they met with source(s) of supply of fentanyl and heroin, which they trafficked to the Western District of Pennsylvania for redistribution. The Court was advised that on May 1, 2019, agents followed Ms. Bane and her alleged co-conspirators from Hershey, Pennsylvania, to the Monroeville area, at which time agents recovered approximately 625 "bricks" of heroin and fentanyl (which is more than 31,000 individual dosage units) following a search of vehicles and residences associated with Ms. Bane and her alleged co-conspirators. In connection with the plea, Ms. Bane admitted that these narcotics were intended for further distribution in the Western District of Pennsylvania.

Senior Judge Conti scheduled sentencing for September 9, 2020, at 1:30 p.m. The law provides for a total sentence of not less than 10 years to a maximum of life in prison, a fine not to exceed $10,000,000, 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 Jerome A. Moschetta is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police Drug Law Enforcement Division conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Ms. Bane.