PITTSBURGH, PA — Pittsburgh resident James Patrick Lewis Jr., aged 31, has been sentenced to a hefty ten years in prison, followed by four years under the watchful eye of supervised release. This announcement came Thursday from United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan, marking a significant victory in the battle against narcotics in Pennsylvania.
United States District Judge W. Scott Hardy delivered the sentence, casting a spotlight on Lewis’s involvement in a large-scale drug distribution network. From late September 2020 to early February 2021, Lewis was deeply entangled in a conspiracy to flood the streets with dangerous substances, specifically aiming to distribute over 100 grams of heroin and a staggering 500 grams or more of cocaine.
The case against Lewis unfolded dramatically as the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) deployed a confidential informant who successfully made six undercover purchases of heroin laced with fentanyl right from Lewis’s doorstep, or rather, his residence turned stash house. This crucial evidence painted a clear picture of Lewis’s illegal activities.
As authorities dug deeper, search warrants led them to a treasure trove of illicit drugs and paraphernalia at Lewis’s hideout. Agents seized more than 900 grams of cocaine, 36 grams of heroin, alongside oxycodone pills, and a substantial amount of marijuana. The haul didn’t stop there; a money counter, over $12,000 in cash, three firearms including a so-called “ghost gun” (a firearm without a serial number making it difficult to trace), and loaded magazines were also uncovered. A loaded firearm found in the center console of Lewis’s vehicle added to the damning evidence against him.
Before handing down the decade-long sentence, Judge Hardy remarked on Lewis’s extensive criminal record despite his relatively young age. He expressed a stern hope that Lewis would take this punishment as a turning point to steer clear of further criminal endeavors.
Assistant United States Attorney Katherine C. Jordan spearheaded the prosecution, showcasing the government’s unwavering commitment to purging the community of drug-related crimes.
United States Attorney Olshan praised the DEA for their pivotal role in bringing Lewis to justice, highlighting the relentless pursuit of those who seek to poison the streets with drugs.
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