West Mifflin Man Pleads Guilty to Drug and Firearm Violations

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of drug trafficking and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

Tyree Saunders, 21, pleaded guilty to three counts before United States District Judge W. Scott Hardy.

In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that that an undercover officer made a purchase of various controlled substances, including crack cocaine, directly from the defendant. Based on that and other information, the Federal Bureau of Investigation obtained authority to intercept Saunders' communications, which revealed that Saunders was regularly selling crack cocaine and used a firearm to threaten a co-conspirator. The investigators obtained a warrant to search the defendant's home, where authorities found crack cocaine and a firearm.

Judge Hardy scheduled sentencing for January 13, 2027. The law provides for a total maximum sentence of up to life in prison, a fine of up to $2,250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Brendan T. Conway is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Pittsburgh Bureau of Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Saunders.