Pittsburgh Review

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - After deliberating for three hours, a federal jury on September 12, 2024, found Courtney Washington of Duquesne, Pennsylvania, guilty of two counts of violating federal firearms laws, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Washington, 30, was tried before United States District Judge Christy Criswell Wiegand in Pittsburgh.

According to evidence presented at trial, Washington sold fentanyl to two confidential informants on April 3, 2023, during an ongoing drug trafficking investigation. Two weeks later, on April 17, 2023, law enforcement officers investigating the earlier fentanyl distribution executed a search warrant at Washington’s home and seized about $45,000 worth of fentanyl from a washing machine. Washington had unsuccessfully attempted to destroy the drugs and also concealed a loaded and stolen .45 Glock handgun in the ceiling rafters near the washing machine. Testimony established that the Glock was the same firearm observed by confidential informants in the console of Washington’s car during the April 3 transaction. Washington previously had been convicted of a federal drug trafficking felony and is therefore prohibited under federal law from possessing a firearm or ammunition.

Prior to trial, Washington pleaded guilty to distribution of fentanyl for the April 3 conduct and possession with intent to distribute the fentanyl found in the washing machine on April 17. In addition to finding Washington guilty of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, the jury concluded that he possessed the firearm on April 17 in furtherance of his drug trafficking activities. Recordings of prison calls also revealed that Washington attempted to extort and intimidate the confidential informants following his arrest.

Judge Wiegand scheduled sentencing for January 16, 2025. The law provides for a total sentence ranging from not less than five years up to life in prison and a fine up to $1,250,000 or both. Under federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based on the seriousness of the offenses and Washington's prior criminal history. As he was on federal supervised release for his prior drug trafficking crime at the time he committed these crimes, he faces another sentence for violating conditions of his supervised release.

Assistant United States Attorneys Brendan T. Conway and V. Joseph Sonson are prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation leading to Washington's prosecution with assistance from Allegheny County Police Department and Duquesne Police Department.