Washington, PA Fentanyl Dealer Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison

 PITTSBURGH – A former resident of Washington, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to ten years’ imprisonment on his conviction for violating the federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak imposed the sentence on Romone Barnes, age 34, formerly of the City of Washington, Washington County, PA.

According to information presented to the Court, on June 26, 2017, investigators with the Pennsylvania State Police Drug Law Enforcement Division and the Washington County District Attorney’s Office Drug Task Force conducted an investigation into fentanyl distribution by Mr. Barnes. The Court was advised that on that date, Mr. Barnes distributed five "bricks" – the equivalent to 400 dosage units – containing fentanyl, which is a scheduled controlled substance under federal law, to an informant working on behalf of law enforcement. Thereafter, Mr. Barnes was charged in a one-count Indictment with distribution of fentanyl. On September 25, 2017, in connection with his arrest for that offense, agents seized approximately ten grams of methoxyacetyl fentanyl, which is an analogue of fentanyl. In connection with his plea, Mr. Barnes admitted to possessing that controlled substance intending to redistribute it.

Assistant United States Attorney Jerome A. Moschetta prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

United States Attorney Brady commended the Pennsylvania State Police Drug Law Enforcement Division and the Washington County District Attorney’s Office Drug Task Force for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Mr. Barnes.

This case was prosecuted as part of Operation S.O.S. (Synthetic Opioid Surge), a Department of Justice enforcement initiative designed to dismantle deadly fentanyl distribution networks through cooperation with local, state and federal law enforcement, as well as local and state prosecutors. The Western District of Pennsylvania is one of ten districts from across the country to implement the S.O.S. program.