Michael Broglie, a 51-year-old man from Hundred, West Virginia, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute or possess with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl in a federal court in Pittsburgh. This is part of a large-scale investigation into the Darccide/Smash 44, or DS44, neighborhood gang and its involvement in drug trafficking in the South Side area of Pittsburgh.
The investigation, led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Greater Pittsburgh Safe Streets Task Force, found that Broglie purchased distribution-level quantities of heroin and fentanyl from his co-conspirator, Ronald Williams. He then re-distributed the drugs to other people.
Broglie is one of 37 defendants charged in the indictment and faces a total sentence of not more than twenty years in prison, a fine of up to $1,000,000, or both. His sentencing is scheduled for July 13, 2020, at 10:30 am.
The investigation was funded by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF) and involved multiple agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, Allegheny County Adult Probation, and the Wilkinsburg Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorney Christy C. Wiegand is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. The court was advised that in 2017, the Greater Pittsburgh Safe Streets Task Force initiated an investigation targeting the DS44 gang and its drug-trafficking activity in and around the South Side area of Pittsburgh.
In February of 2019, the United States received authorization to conduct a federal wire investigation, which continued through June of 2019. The investigation found that the DS44 gang was involved in large-scale narcotics and firearms trafficking.
Broglie remains on bond pending sentencing. The law provides for a total sentence of not more than twenty years in prison, a fine of up to $1,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of each defendant.
Related Federal Cases
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- Paterson Gang Members Charged in Fentanyl, Heroin, Cocaine Ring · West Virginia
- West Virginia Woman Pleads Guilty to Three-State Bank Robberies · West Virginia
- Donora Man Drennan Admits Fentanyl Import, Gun Possession · Texas
- Baltimore Dealer Admits Role in Deadly Fentanyl Ring · West Virginia
Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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