Former Detroit Resident Pleads Guilty to Drug Charges and is Sentenced to Nine Years in Prison

PITTSBURGH, PA - On July 18, 2024, a former resident of Detroit, Michigan, pleaded guilty in federal court to drug trafficking charges and was sentenced to nine years in prison, followed by four years of supervised release, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Senior United States District Court Judge David S. Cercone imposed the sentence on Andrew Brent Steel, 33.

According to evidence presented during a prior hearing, federal, state, and local law enforcement operating under the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program in Beaver County conducted a joint investigation into a drug trafficking organization from Detroit, Michigan, that was distributing controlled substances in and around Beaver County, Pennsylvania. Several controlled purchase operations revealed that drug customers would call a cellular telephone to purchase drugs. After negotiating the sale, the dealer would direct customers to one of several drug runners from apartments in Ambridge or New Brighton, Pennsylvania. Law enforcement identified the members of the conspiracy through the interception of members transporting controlled substances from Detroit into Beaver County, in addition to controlled purchase operations. In total, law enforcement seized 130 grams of acetyl fentanyl, 330 grams of a fentanyl and heroin mixture, and 200 grams of cocaine base, in the form commonly known as crack. At the time of Steel's arrest, he was found in possession of the cellular phone used in all controlled purchase operations.

Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

United States Attorney Olshan commended the Drug Enforcement Administration, Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, and Pennsylvania State Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Steel and his conspirators.