Monroeville Heroin Kingpin Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking

PITTSBURGH – Antonio Hardin, 32, a Monroeville native, has entered a guilty plea in federal court for his role in a violent heroin trafficking conspiracy.

United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced the charges against Hardin, who pleaded before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon. The accused conspired with several co-defendants from April 2012 to February 2013 to possess and distribute heroin.

Hardin’s activities included supplying heroin to another conspirator, whose subsequent shooting at Club Pink in Munhall was attributed to Brandon Thompson and Edward Cook, both of whom are currently serving prison sentences. The court also learned that Hardin shared a stash house with Thompson and Walker in Pitcairn, where they packaged heroin for sale.

Hardin was said to have sold heroin to other distributors including Richard Wood, Gregory Harris, Jr., and Luther Harper, as revealed by intercepted calls discussing large-scale heroin transactions. He also acknowledged possession of a firearm, such as a 9mm Glock, during his drug trafficking activities.

Judge Bissoon has set sentencing for April 30, 2013, with potential penalties including life imprisonment, fines up to $5,250,000, or both. Assistant United States Attorney Eric S. Rosen is handling the prosecution of this case.

The investigation into Hardin’s crimes was a collaborative effort by several law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, ATF, Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, and various local police departments.