PITTSBURGH – In a major crackdown on heroin trafficking in Western Pennsylvania, a federal judge has found Anthony Pryor guilty of one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin.
The verdict, handed down by United States District Court Judge Reggie B. Walton, is the culmination of a lengthy investigation that began in 2010 and resulted in the convictions of nineteen individuals for heroin distribution and firearms charges. Most of the defendants, like Pryor, are from Duquesne, Pennsylvania.
Pryor, along with co-conspirator Lance Yarbough, was found guilty of participating in a large-scale heroin distribution operation centered in Duquesne. According to Assistant United States Attorney Brendan T. Conway, the evidence presented at trial established that Pryor and Yarbough obtained large quantities of heroin from New Jersey and transported it to the Pittsburgh area, often using hidden compartments in vehicles.
The conspiracy, which lasted from at least 2008 until 2012, involved members of the group bragging about their drug dealing activities in videos posted on YouTube. The group, known as Hardcore Entertainment, also created music and video under that name.
As part of the investigation, law enforcement agencies seized heroin, firearms, money, and other evidence from the defendants. According to the law, Pryor faces a total sentence of 40 years in prison, a fine of $5 million, or both. Yarbough, on the other hand, faces a total sentence of life imprisonment, a fine of $10 million, or both.
The Greater Pittsburgh Safe Streets Task Force, consisting of multiple law enforcement agencies, conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Pryor and Yarbough. The defendants are scheduled to be sentenced on October 16, 2017.
In a statement, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song commended the law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation, saying, ‘This conviction is a significant blow to the heroin trafficking ring that plagued Duquesne and the surrounding areas.’
The case serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to combat heroin trafficking in Western Pennsylvania. As the investigation continues, it is clear that law enforcement agencies are committed to bringing those responsible to justice.
Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Drug TraffickingDrug TraffickingDrug TraffickingDrug Trafficking