PITTSBURGH, Pa – A former resident of Pittsburgh, PA was sentenced to 23 years (276 months) in prison and six years of supervised release for violating federal narcotics laws, including three charges of distribution of heroin and fentanyl resulting in serious bodily injury and death, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Senior United States District Judge Arthur Schwab imposed the sentence on Justin McBride, 27, on counts of Conspiracy To Possess With The Intent To Distribute 40 Grams or More of Fentanyl and 100 Grams or More of Heroin, Possession With The Intent To Distribute Heroin and Fentanyl, Maintaining a Drug Involved Premises, and Distribution of Fentanyl resulting in the death of victim E.B.  McBride previously, as part of the plea, accepted responsibility for distribution resulting in the death of victim T.B. and the serious bodily injury overdose of victim J.B.

According to information presented to the court, Brad and Greg Reed, Justin McBride, Richard Ruby, and Antoinette McBride operated a family-run heroin and fentanyl ring in the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County from 2014 – 2017.  Brad and Greg Reed ran the operation out of a home on Lytle Street in Pittsburgh while Justin McBride and Antoinette McBride utilized a location in Munhall, PA, and Richard Ruby at a residence on Glenwood Avenue in Pittsburgh.  Utilizing these locations and others, members of this drug trafficking ring sold to hundreds of drug customers in Allegheny County.  On October 4, 2016, Justin McBride distributed fentanyl to victim, E.B. who later died of acute fentanyl toxicity.  On January 30, 2017, Justin McBride distributed a mixture of heroin and fentanyl to victim T.B. who later died of a combined drug toxicity of heroin and fentanyl. Pittsburgh Police Narcotics and Vice detectives were able to use victim T.B.’s phone in order to set up an undercover purchase of narcotics from Justin McBride.  On January 31, Justin McBride was arrested attempting to deliver heroin and fentanyl to an undercover Pittsburgh Police Narcotics and Vice detective.  On July 8, 2017, Justin McBride delivered fentanyl to victim J.B. who overdosed on the fentanyl, but was revived by EMS personnel using Narcan.

Co-defendant Richard Ruby was previously sentenced to 12½ years on a separate, but related indictment and a concurrent five-year sentence on this Indictment.  Co-defendant Antoinette McBride was sentenced to time-served of one year and two months and three years of supervised release.  Co-defendants Greg and Brad Reed were previously sentenced to 13 years and 16 years and three years of supervised release, respectively.  Justin McBride’s sentence is believed to be the longest sentence imposed in the Western District of Pennsylvania for distribution of heroin or fentanyl resulting in serious bodily injury and death.

Assistant United States Attorneys Timothy Lanni and Heidi Grogan are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation – Western District of Pennsylvania Opioid Task Force, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police – Narcotics and Vice Division, and West Mifflin Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the guilty pleas and sentences in this case. The FBI Opioid Task Force is comprised of FBI Special Agents and state and local Task Force Officers, including officers from the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Department, Allegheny County Police, Port Authority Police, Munhall Police Department, Sto-Rox Police Department, and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.

 

PITTSBURGH, Pa – Two former residents of Pittsburgh, PA were sentenced today for running a heroin and fentanyl ring that resulted in numerous fatal and non- fatal overdoses, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

On July 3, 2019 Senior United States District Judge Arthur Schwab imposed the sentence of 13 years (156 months) on Greg Reed, 28, on counts of Conspiracy To Possess With The Intent To Distribute 40 Grams or More of Fentanyl and 100 Grams or More of Heroin, Possession With The Intent To Distribute Heroin and Fentanyl, and Maintaining a Drug Involved Premises. Greg Reed also accepted responsibility for causing the non-fatal overdose of victim, C.B. C.B. was revived by Narcan after ingesting narcotics supplied by Greg Reed. On July 11, 2019, Judge Schwab imposed the sentence of 16 years (192 months) on Greg Reed’s twin brother, Brad Reed, 28, on counts of Conspiracy To Possess With The Intent To Distribute 40 Grams or More of Fentanyl and 100 Grams or More of Heroin, Possession With The Intent To Distribute Heroin and Fentanyl, Distribution of Fentanyl, Destruction or Removal of Evidence, and Maintaining a Drug Involved Premises. Brad Reed also accepted responsibility for causing the non-fatal overdose of victim, J.M. J.M. was revived by Narcan after ingesting narcotics supplied by Brad Reed.

According to information presented to the court, Brad and Greg Reed, Justin McBride, Richard Ruby, and Antoinette McBride operated a family run heroin and fentanyl ring in the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County from 2014 – 2017. Brad and Greg Reed ran the operation out of a residence on Lytle Street in Pittsburgh while Justin McBride and Antoinette McBride utilized a location in Munhall, PA, and Richard Ruby at a location on Glenwood Avenue in Pittsburgh. Utilizing these locations and others, members of this drug trafficking ring sold to hundreds of drug customers in Allegheny County. Ultimately, the ring was responsible for causing two fatal drug overdoses and three non-fatal drug overdoses.

Co-defendant Richard Ruby was previously sentenced to 151 months on a separate, but related indictment and a concurrent five-year sentence on this Indictment. Co-defendant Antoinette McBride was sentenced to time served of one year and two months and three years of supervised release. Justin McBride has pleaded guilty and is pending sentencing on July 18, 2019.

Assistant United States Attorneys Timothy Lanni and Heidi Grogan are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation – Western District of Pennsylvania Opioid Task Force, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police – Narcotics and Vice Division, and West Mifflin Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the guilty pleas and sentences in this case. The Federal Bureau of Investigation – Western District of Pennsylvania Opioid Task Force Task Force is comprised of FBI Special Agents and state and local Task Force Officers, including officers from the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Allegheny County Sherriff’s Department, Allegheny County Police, Port Authority Police, Munhall Police Department, Stowe-Rox Police Department, and Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.

PITTSBURGH, PA - Five Allegheny County residents have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal narcotics and firearms laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

The 15-count indictment, returned on April 4 and unsealed today, named:

Brad Reed, age 26, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania;

Greg Reed, age 26, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania;

Justin McBride, age 26,  of Munhall, Pennsylvania;

Antoinette McBride, age 29, of Munhall, Pennsylvania; and

Richard Ruby, age 31, formerly of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Brad Reed and Greg Reed are twin brothers. Richard Ruby and Justin McBride are both cousins of the Reed twins. Antoinette McBride is married to Justin McBride.

"This indictment charges these five individuals for their roles in a criminal heroin/fentanyl trafficking organization that is responsible for causing two overdose deaths and four non-fatal overdoses in which the victims needed to be revived with naloxone," stated U.S. Attorney Brady. "My office will continue to be relentless in our mission to identify and prosecute drug dealers, reduce overdoses and protect the people of Western Pennsylvania."

According to the indictment presented to the court, from in and around January 2014, and continuing until in or around December 2017, Brad Reed, Greg Reed, Justin McBride, Antoinette McBride, and Richard Ruby conspired to distribute and possess with the intent distribute heroin and fentanyl. The indictment further alleges that on or about October 3, 2016, Justin McBride distributed fentanyl which caused serious bodily injury and the death of a user of fentanyl; on or about December 8, 2016, Brad Reed caused serious bodily injury to a user of heroin and fentanyl; on or about December 31, 2016, Greg Reed caused serious bodily injury to a user of heroin and fentanyl; on or about January 30, 2017, Justin McBride caused serious bodily injury to and the death of a user of heroin and fentanyl; and on or about July 1, 2017, Justin McBride caused serious bodily injury to a user of heroin and fentanyl.

The indictment also alleges that on or about December 16, 2016, Brad Reed possessed with intent to distribute and distributed a quantity of heroin and fentanyl. The indictment further alleges that on or about January 31, 2017, Brad Reed, Justin McBride, and Antoinette McBride possessed with intent to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine and, on that same date, Justin McBride also possessed with intent to distribute crack cocaine. The indictment further alleges that on or about February 21, 2017, Brad Reed and Greg Reed possessed with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl and Brad Reed unlawfully disposed of property for the purpose of preventing the government from taking the narcotics into its lawful custody. The indictment also alleges that on January 31, 2017, Justin McBride and Antoinette McBride possessed a firearm, a black Taurus .380 caliber pistol, in furtherance of the drug trafficking conspiracy.

Further, during various times between January 2014 and December 2017, the five defendants maintained and used various premises for manufacturing and distributing heroin and fentanyl. Specifically, the indictment alleges Greg Reed and Brad Reed used and maintained 5116 Lytle Street in Hazelwood; Justin McBride and Antoinette McBride used and maintained an apartment at 1813 West Street in Munhall; and Richard Ruby and Justin McBride used and maintained 5108 Glenwood Avenue in Hazelwood, all for the purpose of manufacturing and distributing heroin and fentanyl.

With respect to the charges against Justin McBride, Brad Reed, and Greg Reed, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 20 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $2 million, or both. For Antoinette McBride and Richard Ruby, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than five years and up to 40 years in prison, a fine of $5,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorneys Timothy M. Lanni and Heidi M. Grogan are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation – Western District of Pennsylvania Opioid Task Force conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case. This Task Force is comprised of FBI Special Agents and state and local Task Force Officers, including officers from the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Allegheny County Sherriff’s Department, Allegheny County Police, Port Authority Police, Munhall Police Department, West Mifflin Police Department, and Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.