PITTSBURGH – A resident of Ellwood City, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced on Monday.
Jeffrey Vitale, 29, of Ellwood City pleaded guilty to one count before Senior United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on or about February 16, 2018, Vitale distributed and possessed with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance.
Judge Schwab scheduled sentencing for June 17, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of not more than 20 years in prison, a fine not to exceed $1,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Brendan T. Conway is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
A federally administered Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) conducted the investigation leading to the prosecution of Vitale. The task force is headed by the Drug Enforcement Administration and is comprised of members drawn from the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Lawrence County Drug Task Force, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Borough of Baldwin Police Department, McKees Rocks Police Department, Munhall Police Department, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, and the Pennsylvania State Police. The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.
Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney’s Office
Western District of Pennsylvania
source: justice.gov
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