Nathaniel McKnight, Cocaine and Fentanyl Conspiracy, Pennsylvania 2020

A New Castle, Pennsylvania man has been sentenced to 8 years in prison for his role in a cocaine and fentanyl trafficking operation. Nathaniel McKnight, 28, of New Castle, was sentenced to 105 months’ imprisonment followed by four years of supervised release.

McKnight was convicted of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and 40 grams or more of fentanyl. The sentence was handed down by United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan in federal court.

According to the investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) intercepted communications between McKnight and his co-conspirators, who were orchestrating the movement of cocaine from Columbus, Ohio to the Western District of Pennsylvania for distribution. McKnight was also involved in acquiring and distributing fentanyl, as well as cutting it to increase his profits.

The investigation, which began in December 2019 and continued through August 2020, also resulted in the seizure of cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, methamphetamine, ecstasy, marijuana, firearms, and bulk United States Currency from members of the organization.

Assistant United States Attorney Mark V. Gurzo prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung commended the DEA in Pittsburgh, PA; the DEA in Columbus, OH; DEA in Harrisburg, PA; Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Pittsburgh, PA; HSI in Orlando, FL; Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations; United States Postal Service in Columbus, Ohio; Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General; Lawrence County Drug Task Force – Special Investigations Unit; and New Castle Police Department for their work on the case.

The investigation was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation, which targets high-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten communities throughout the United States.

Nathaniel McKnight, 28, of New Castle, Pennsylvania, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and 40 grams or more of fentanyl. He was sentenced to 105 months’ imprisonment followed by four years of supervised release. The charges were brought by the United States Attorney’s Office in the Western District of Pennsylvania.

This case is a result of an OCDETF investigation, which identifies, disrupts, and dismantles high-level drug traffickers and their organizations.

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