Sixteen residents of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on cocaine trafficking charges, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced on July 23. The one-count indictment was unsealed following the arrests of the defendants.
According to the indictment, from around November 2025 to around July 2026, the defendants conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute various quantities of cocaine base, commonly known as crack, as well as mixtures or substances containing cocaine. The amount of drugs attributed to the lead defendant in the case, DeConta Harrison, includes 280 grams or more of crack cocaine. A list released with the indictment details each defendant and the amount of drugs attributed through the alleged conspiracy.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than ten years and up to life in prison and a fine up to $10 million for Harrison. For other defendants, sentencing ranges from not less than five years up to forty years in prison and fines up to $5 million. Sentences would be determined based upon both the seriousness of offenses and any prior criminal history under federal sentencing guidelines.
Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan D. Lusty is prosecuting this case for the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, and Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation leading to these indictments.
Authorities remind that an indictment is an accusation; all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.