PITTSBURGH, PA — In a federal courtroom, a significant chapter in the fight against drug trafficking came to a close on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, when Andre Nunley, a 50-year-old resident of the city, entered a guilty plea to charges that paint a vivid picture of the ongoing opioid crisis gripping the nation. United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced that Nunley admitted to conspiring to distribute substantial quantities of fentanyl, fluorofentanyl, and cocaine, alongside an attempt to possess fentanyl with the intent to distribute it.
The case against Nunley unfolded over a meticulous investigation spanning from June 2022 to December 2023, under the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program in Beaver County. This collaborative effort among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies culminated in significant seizures of narcotics linked directly to Nunley’s operations. A pivotal moment occurred in January 2023, when authorities executed search warrants on Nunley’s stash houses, uncovering a trove of contraband: approximately 15,000 counterfeit oxycodone pills and other materials indicative of extensive drug trafficking activities. Laboratory analysis confirmed the presence of 1,352 grams of fentanyl and smaller, yet significant, amounts of fluorofentanyl—a potent synthetic opioid that, along with fentanyl, represents a grave threat to public health due to its high potential for addiction and overdose.
The investigation continued to gain momentum, leading to the interception of a parcel in December 2023 containing around two kilograms of fentanyl, destined for another of Nunley’s residences. The subsequent controlled delivery operation brought law enforcement face-to-face with Nunley, who conceded his anticipation of the drug-laden package.
United States District Judge William S. Stickman IV has scheduled Nunley’s sentencing for August 7, 2024, where he faces a minimum of 10 years to a possible life sentence for the conspiracy charge, and up to 20 years for the attempt charge. These penalties underscore the severity of Nunley’s offenses and the broader societal implications of such criminal endeavors.
Pending his sentencing, Nunley has been remanded into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service, marking a temporary conclusion to a saga that highlights both the challenges and successes in combating the proliferation of synthetic opioids on the streets of American cities. Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna is leading the prosecution, supported by the concerted efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, and United States Postal Inspection Service.
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