Darion Ethridge, a 26-year-old resident of Pittsburgh, pleaded guilty on Aug. 5 to drug and firearm charges in federal court, according to United States Attorney Troy Rivetti.
Ethridge entered his plea before United States District Judge William S. Stickman IV, admitting to one count of possession with intent to distribute a mixture and substance containing fentanyl and heroin, as well as one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of that drug trafficking crime.
According to information presented in court, law enforcement conducted a drug suppression detail in Monroeville on June 24, 2021. Authorities had received information that an individual driving a black Jeep Cherokee with tinted windows would be delivering 10 bricks of heroin to a hotel. When the vehicle arrived and parked at the location, a detective activated lights and siren behind the Jeep, identified himself as police, and instructed the driver to exit. The driver instead started the vehicle, reversed into the detective’s car, then attempted to flee through the parking lot until officers boxed him in. The driver exited the vehicle and fled on foot but was apprehended by officers.
A search following Ethridge’s arrest led authorities to seize approximately $3,952 from his person. From inside the vehicle they recovered 991 bags containing fentanyl and heroin mixture; a loaded .40 caliber handgun reported stolen; as well as identification cards bearing Ethridge’s name. Ethridge had previously been convicted of four felonies in Allegheny County’s Court of Common Pleas. Federal law prohibits individuals convicted of felonies from possessing firearms or ammunition.
Judge Stickman scheduled sentencing for September 14. The statutory maximum sentence includes up to 20 years’ imprisonment and fines up to $1 million for drug trafficking charges; not less than five years up to life imprisonment served consecutively for possession of a firearm during drug trafficking; plus fines up to $250,000 for that charge. Actual sentencing will be determined based on offense severity and criminal history under federal guidelines. Pending sentencing, Ethridge has been remanded into custody with U.S. Marshals Service oversight.
Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna is prosecuting this case for the government. The investigation was conducted by Monroeville Police Department together with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General.