David Best, a 28-year-old convicted prescription drug dealer, has been sentenced to 24 years in federal prison for his role in a large-scale prescription drug trafficking operation in western Pennsylvania.
On April 10, 2014, a federal jury convicted Best of conspiracy to distribute oxycodone and Opana, as well as multiple counts related to that conviction. According to Assistant United States Attorney Eric S. Rosen, who prosecuted the case, the evidence presented at trial established that Best conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute large quantities of oxycodone and Opana from July 2011 to May 2013.
Best was also found guilty of burglary, theft, and firearms charges, including carrying and brandishing a loaded revolver during a drug trafficking conspiracy. On three separate occasions, Best burglarized the MedFast pharmacy in Baden, Pa., and stole a number of Schedule II controlled substances, including fentanyl, oxymorphone, and oxycodone.
According to the evidence presented at trial, Best stole these controlled substances in order to distribute them, and on two occasions, he chiseled through the wall of the neighboring China Garden restaurant into the pharmacy, and on the third occasion, he broke into the Bo-Rics hair salon and burrowed directly into the MedFast controlled substances cabinet.
On June 20, 2012, Best carried and brandished a loaded revolver during a drug trafficking conspiracy, holding two men hostage at gunpoint after he lured them to his Economy Township home under the guise that he had a large stash of drugs and drug proceeds in his room.
Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Arthur Schwab highlighted the seriousness of Best’s many crimes and the damage that his drug dealing did to those in western Pennsylvania. The Court determined that the scope of Best’s massive drug conspiracy went far beyond that of an ordinary addict looking to feed their addiction.
Assistant United States Attorney Eric S. Rosen prosecuted this case on behalf of the government, and the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Economy Borough and Cranberry Township Police Departments conducted the investigation that led to the successful prosecution and conviction of David Best.
Defendant: David Best
Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to distribute oxycodone and Opana, as well as multiple counts related to that conviction
City and State: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Date: April 10, 2014
Sentence: 24 years in federal prison
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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