West Mifflin Man Sentenced to Prison for Drug Conspiracy and Firearm Charges

PITTSBURGH, PA - On July 18, 2024, a resident of West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, was sentenced in federal court to 27 months of imprisonment, to be followed by 3 years of federal supervised release, on his convictions for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Senior United States District Judge David S. Cercone imposed the sentence on Marcus Valenzi, 35.

According to information presented to the court, between August 2022 and November 2023, federal and state law enforcement conducted an investigation into a drug trafficking organization operating within the Western District of Pennsylvania. The investigation identified Valenzi as a member of the conspiracy, and federal search warrants executed upon residences used by the conspirators in McKees Rocks, PA, resulted in the seizure of fentanyl, firearms, and cellular phones. A subsequent federal search warrant executed upon Valenzi's residence resulted in the seizure of over $16,000, multiple cellular phones, and xylazine, a dangerous substance used as a cutting agent for fentanyl. A search of Valenzi's phones revealed communications with a drug customer, who requested the return of his firearm. Valenzi responded that he threw the gun in the river after the "fed raided that house in rocks." At the time Valenzi possessed his drug customer's firearm, he had been convicted in Florida of robbery, a felony. Under federal law, felons are prohibited from the possession of firearms and ammunition.

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

United States Attorney Olshan commended the Pennsylvania State Police and Federal Bureau of Investigation for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Valenzi.