Recidivist Drug Dealer Sentenced to 13 Years in Prison for Distributing Fentanyl Resulting in Death and for Participating in Drug Conspiracy While Incarcerated

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Duquesne, Pennsylvania, was sentenced in federal court on July 1, 2024, to 13 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, on his conviction of distributing fentanyl resulting in death, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

United States District Judge W. Scott Hardy imposed the sentence on Rahde Williamson, 28.

According to information presented to the Court, from December 2018 through August 2019, Williamson supplied over 400 grams of fentanyl to Monessen-based narcotics dealer Delmar Pritchett. In June 2019, Pritchett distributed some of that fentanyl to a 21-year-old woman, T.H., who died from an overdose of the drugs. Both Williamson and Pritchett accepted responsibility for T.H.'s death during the course of their prosecutions. In imposing Williamson's sentence, the Court also considered Williamson's participation in a separate conspiracy to distribute suboxone, a Schedule III narcotic, while awaiting trial at the Butler County Prison. Williamson previously was convicted of conspiracy to distribute heroin in 2014 and was on federal supervised release at the time of his conduct in this case.

On May 17, 2024, Senior United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer sentenced Pritchett to eight years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, for his role in the death of T.H. and the drug conspiracy with Williamson.

"Today's sentencing is yet another reminder that the distribution of fentanyl can lead to tragedy," said U.S. Attorney Olshan. "Rahde Williamson was responsible for the fentanyl that found its way into the hands of a 21-year-old victim, and even after T.H.'s death, the defendant continued to deal drugs-this time, suboxone-while detained and awaiting trial. This office and our partners in law enforcement are dedicated to holding accountable those who distribute deadly substances on the street or inside the walls of a jail."

Assistant United States Attorney Nicole Vasquez Schmitt prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

United States Attorney Olshan commended the Drug Enforcement Administration for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Williamson.