PITTSBURGH, PA — A federal court handed down a sentence of one year and one day in prison to a Latrobe resident, followed by a three-year term of supervised release, for breaches of federal narcotics statutes. This sentencing, announced by United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan, marks a significant moment in the ongoing battle against drug trafficking within the region.
Richard Bakey, 30, stood before United States Senior District Judge Joy Flowers Conti, who delivered the judgment. The case against Bakey unfolded from incidents dating back to August 1, 2020, when Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents orchestrated a controlled purchase of 100 Xanax bars from him, totaling $275. The investigation into Bakey’s activities continued, leading to a vehicular stop by Pennsylvania State Police troopers on May 24, 2021. During this stop, officers discovered multiple envelopes in Bakey’s vehicle, containing various types of pills, including a concerning quantity of 119 fentanyl pills, a potent synthetic opioid that has been at the center of the opioid crisis in the United States.
Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan D. Lusty represented the government in prosecuting this case, highlighting the collaborative efforts of federal and state law enforcement agencies in tackling the distribution of illegal narcotics. The successful prosecution underscores the critical role of the United States Postal Inspection Service, the DEA, and the Pennsylvania State Police in the comprehensive investigation that led to Bakey’s conviction.
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