Pittsburgh
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Published on January 17, 2025
Pittsburgh Man Sentenced to Over 11 Years for Drug Trafficking and Firearms ViolationsSource: Brian Turner, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Willie Blair Jr., a Pittsburgh resident, was sentenced to over 11 years in prison for his involvement with fentanyl, cocaine, and unlawful firearms possession. According to a report by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania, United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan handed down a sentence of 135 months of imprisonment followed by a five-year term of supervised release following Blair’s conviction on federal narcotics and firearms violations.

Back in early October 2022, Blair was caught with more than a kilogram of fentanyl with intent to distribute and also attempted to possess more than two kilograms of cocaine. In an event that led law enforcement to his doorstep, a suspicious parcel, which contained approximately two kilograms of cocaine, was intercepted by the United States Postal Service and addressed to Blair’s residence. A subsequent search of his home and vehicle revealed roughly 1,262.8 grams of fentanyl, a loaded Glock pistol, ammunition, and several drug trafficking paraphernalia. Blair, before this incident, had a litany of felony convictions for controlled substances, including federal charges for heroin distribution.

In a statement by the Justice Department, Blair admitted ownership of the fentanyl, the drug trafficking tools, and the firearm and ammunition. He confessed to being a multi-kilogram distributor of fentanyl and heroin and to his attempt to distribute the cocaine found in the mail. Federal regulations bar convicted felons from owning firearms or ammunition, pointing to the severity of Blair's firearms violation.

Assistant United States Attorney Carl J. Spindler was the prosecutor for the government in this case. Several agencies were instrumental in bringing Blair to justice, including the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Task Force, and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General and the Pennsylvania State Police, as applauded by United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan.