Washington, Pa., Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing Heroin and Fentanyl

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Washington, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violation federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Quenten Vaden, 33, pleaded guilty on Monday to one count before United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on or about Feb. 11, 2016, Vaden distributed and possessed with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl.

Judge Schwab scheduled sentencing for Aug. 22, 2016 at 9:30 a.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1,000,000, 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 Attorneys Katherine A. King and Ross E. Lenhardt are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

Special Agents and Task Force Officers from the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Washington County Drug Task Force, the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Washington County District Attorney’s Office, and numerous local police departments including the Canonsburg Police Department, the Donora Police Department, the Monessen Police Department, and the Charleroi Police Department, as well as the Washington County Coroner’s Office, and the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office, conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Quenten Vaden.