Seven Fields Man Sentenced Federal Prison For Drug & Gun Violations
Wednesday, October 23, 2024, 6:45 A.M. ET. 1 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
PITTSBURGH, PA.- On Tuesday, October 22, 2024, Durrell Fortson, 45, of Seven Fields, Pennsylvania, appeared in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania and was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge William S. Stickman, IV, to 106 months in federal prison on his previously entered guilty pleas to Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine; and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime.
According to U.S. Attorney Eric G. Olshan and documents filed with the court, on November 16, 2022, law enforcement officers conducted a traffic stop on a motor vehicle operated by Fortson. During the stop, a Police K-9 conducted an exterior sniff of the vehicle and alerted the officer to the presence of controlled substances.
Upon the K-9’s reacting to the presence of narcotics, law enforcement offices applied and obtained a court-authorized search warrant for Fortson’s motor vehicle.
Police Find Gun And Cocaine
   During the subsequent search of Fortson’s vehicle, officers discovered and seized two gallon-size plastic bags of cocaine, two kilogram wrappers containing cocaine residue, a digital scale, and a .40 caliber handgun loaded with 13 rounds of ammunition.
A subsequent records search of the handgun uncovered that the firearm had been reported stolen.
U.S. Attorney Will Thompson commended the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General and the Drug Enforcement Administration for the investigation, arrest, conviction, and Fortson prison sentence.
