Pittsburgh Review

A former resident of Woodbridge Township, New Jersey, pleaded guilty in federal court on June 13, 2024, to a violation of federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Ryan Mendoza, 31, pleaded guilty before Senior United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab to one count of possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of a mixture of heroin and fentanyl.

In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that on February 25, 2021, members of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police recovered over 6,400 stamp bags containing a mixture of heroin and fentanyl from a hotel room in Pittsburgh. The room had been rented by Mendoza the previous night. Mendoza was ultimately taken into custody and admitted to possession of the recovered drugs.

Judge Schwab scheduled sentencing for October 29, 2024. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than five years and up to 40 years in prison, a fine of up to $5 million, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Michael R. Ball is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Mendoza.