A Duquesne, Pennsylvania resident has been sentenced to over 20 years in federal prison for drug trafficking and firearm offenses. Courtney Washington Jr., 31, received a sentence of 248 months imprisonment followed by six months of supervised release. This was announced by Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti.
United States District Judge Christy Criswell Wiegand handed down the sentence after a federal jury found Washington guilty in September 2024 of two counts of violating federal firearms laws. Prior to the trial, Washington had pleaded guilty to charges related to the distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
The court heard that Washington was involved in large-scale fentanyl trafficking. Law enforcement executed a search warrant at his residence on April 17, 2023. During the operation, officers discovered approximately $45,000 worth of fentanyl in a washing machine and a loaded stolen .45 Glock handgun hidden nearby. Washington attempted to destroy the drugs by placing them in the washing machine but was unsuccessful. As a convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.
Assistant United States Attorneys Brendan T. Conway and V. Joseph Sonson prosecuted the case for the government.
Acting United States Attorney Rivetti praised the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Allegheny County Police Department, and Duquesne Police Department for their work leading to Washington’s prosecution.
