Pittsburgh Man Pleads Guilty to Drug and Firearm Charges

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to drug and firearm charges, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today. Darion Ethridge, 26, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge William S. Stickman IV to one count of possession with intent to distribute a mixture and substance containing fentanyl and heroin and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of that drug trafficking crime. In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, on June 24, 2021, state and local law enforcement conducted a drug suppression detail in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, after authorities received information that a male operating a black Jeep Cherokee with tinted windows would be bringing 10 bricks of heroin to a hotel. Upon the arrival and parking of the vehicle, a detective positioned his vehicle with lights and siren activated behind the Jeep, exited his vehicle, identified himself as police, and directed the driver to exit. The driver responded by starting his vehicle, reversing the Jeep into the detective’s vehicle, and driving through the parking lot until law enforcement boxed in the Jeep, at which point, the driver exited the vehicle and fled on foot, with officers pursuing and arresting the driver. A search incident to arrest resulted in the seizure of approximately $3,952. From the vehicle, authorities seized 991 bags containing a fentanyl and heroin mixture, a loaded .40 caliber handgun which was determined to have been reported stolen, and a medical marijuana card and Pennsylvania Department of Corrections card both bearing Ethridge’s name. Ethridge had previously been convicted of four felonies in the Court of Common Pleas in Allegheny County. Federal law prohibits possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon. Judge Stickman scheduled sentencing for September 14, 2026. The law provides for a total maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1 million, or both for the drug trafficking crime and not less than five years and up to life in prison to be served consecutively to the drug trafficking sentence, a fine of up to $250,000, or both on the possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime count. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendant. Pending sentencing, the Court ordered Ethridge remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. The Monroeville Police Department and Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Ethridge.