PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Butler, Pennsylvania, has pleaded guilty in Pittsburgh on a charge of violating federal narcotics laws, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today.
Charles Perkins, 27, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute a quantity of fentanyl and a quantity of cocaine base, in the form commonly known as crack, before United States District Judge Joy Flowers Conti.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on August 6, 2020, the Pennsylvania State Police conducted a traffic stop on a silver Ford sedan due to non-functioning brake lights at South Duffy Road and New Castle Road in Butler, Pennsylvania. Law enforcement identified Charles Perkins as the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle. Mr. Perkins informed the trooper that the car belonged to his friend. While speaking with Mr. Perkins, the trooper observed, in plain view, marijuana on the front passenger seat and several stamp bags in a plastic bag on the floor behind the driver’s seat. Mr. Perkins admitted that the plastic bag behind the front passenger seat was his.
Subsequently, the trooper detained Mr. Perkins and conducted a search of the vehicle, discovering approximately 2.5 net grams of crack cocaine, approximately 5.2 net grams of fentanyl packaged within 300 stamp bags marked “Dr. Pepper,” $965.00, and drug use paraphernalia. A search incident to Mr. Perkins’ arrest resulted in the discovery of several additional stamp bags in his underwear. The Greensburg Regional Laboratory subsequently confirmed that the packaged narcotics tested positive for Schedule II controlled substances.
Law enforcement advised Mr. Perkins of his rights, which he waived. Mr. Perkins admitted to “having 30 bricks in his glove box” the last time that he was stopped by the Pennsylvania State Police. He also admitted to being on his way to Butler City to sell the seized substances.
Judge Conti scheduled sentencing for on December 16, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than three years supervised release, not more than 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine up to $1,000,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Pending sentencing, the defendant was remanded into the custody of the U.S. Marshals.
Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Pennsylvania State Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.
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