Washington County Man Charged with Violating Federal Drug and Gun Laws

 PITTSBURGH, PA - A former resident of Charleroi, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on federal narcotics and firearms charges, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today.

The three-count Indictment, returned on August 25 and unsealed today, named Tecko Tartt, age 35, as the sole defendant.

According to Count One of the Indictment, on or about March 31, 2021, Tartt possessed with the intent to distribute 10 grams or more of fluorofentanyl, a Schedule I controlled substance and an analogue of fentanyl; and quantities of cocaine. On or about that same date, Tartt also possessed a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon (Count Three) and in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime (Count Two).

As to Count 1, the law provides for a minimum of five and up to 40 years in prison, a fine of $5,000,000 or both. The maximum sentence for Count 2 is at least five years and up to life in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The maximum sentence for Count 3 is up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. 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 the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorneys Yvonne M. Saadi and Jonathan D. Lusty are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.

This prosecution is a result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles high-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten communities throughout the United States. OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.