PITTSBURGH – David Francis of McKees Rocks, PA, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin. He also waived prosecution by indictment and entered a plea of guilty to a five-count Information charging him with assisting in the filing of fraudulent federal income tax returns, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Francis, 69, pleaded guilty to one drug count and five tax counts before United States District Judge Joy Flowers Conti.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Francis was the owner and operator of Next Step Recovery Housing, LLC, a purported drug rehabilitation center, located in McKees Rocks, PA. While operating Next Step Recovery Housing, the defendant also conspired to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin with suppliers from New York City from November 2016 through February 2017. Francis redistributed the heroin that he obtained from the New York suppliers to his own customers, many of whom were current or former clients of Next Step Recovery Housing. During the same timeframe, Francis was also the owner and operator of All Personal Matters, an income tax return preparation business. Through All Personal Matters, Francis aided in the preparation and filing of fraudulent federal income tax returns on behalf of clients of All Personal Matters, resulting in a loss to the Internal Revenue Service of $1,681,607.54.

Judge Conti scheduled sentencing for November 4, 2020. For the drug charge, the law provides for a total sentence of not less than five years and not more than 40 years in prison, a fine of not more than $5,000,000, or both. For the tax charges, the law provides for a total sentence at each count of not more than three years in prison and a fine of not more than $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, the court continued the defendant’s detention.

Assistant United States Attorney Tonya Sulia Goodman is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, Monroeville Police Department, Stowe Township Police Department, Ingram Borough Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police, and Monaca Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Francis.

PITTSBURGH - A resident of New York, NY, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Jose Ortega, 32, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Joy Flowers Conti.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that from in and around November 2016 through in and around February 2017, Ortega conspired with his codefendants, David Francis and William Rosario, to possess with intent to distribute and distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, which he transported from New York to the Western District of Pennsylvania.

Judge Conti scheduled sentencing for July 10, 2019, at 3:30 p.m. The law provides for a total sentence of not less than five and up to 40 years in prison, a fine of $5,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, the court continued the defendant’s bond.

Assistant United States Attorney Tonya Sulia Goodman is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, Monroeville Police Department, Stowe Township Police Department, Ingram Borough Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police, and Monaca Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Ortega.

PITTSBURGH - A resident of New York City has been sentenced in federal court to 2½ years’ imprisonment on his conviction of conspiracy to distribute heroin, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

United States District Judge Joy Flowers Conti imposed the sentence on William Rosario, 25, of New York, NY.

According to information presented to the court, from in and around November 2016 through in and around February 2017, Rosario conspired with his codefendants, David Francis and Jose Ortega, to possess with intent to distribute and distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, which he transported from New York to the Western District of Pennsylvania.

Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Conti stated that the sentence was sufficient but not greater than necessary to achieve the goals of sentencing.

Assistant United States Attorney Tonya Sulia Goodman prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

United States Attorney Brady commended the Drug Enforcement Administration, Monroeville Police Department, Stowe Township Police Department, Ingram Borough Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police, and Monaca Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Rosario.

PITTSBURGH - A resident of New York, NY, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

William Rosario, age 25, pleaded guilty yesterday to one count before Chief United States District Judge Joy Flowers Conti.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that from in and around November 2016 through in and around February 2017, Rosario conspired with his codefendants, David Francis and Jose Ortega, to possess with intent to distribute and distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, which he transported from New York to the Western District of Pennsylvania.

Chief Judge Conti scheduled sentencing for February 5, 2019 at 2:30 p.m. The law provides for a total sentence of not less than five and up to 40 years in prison, a fine of $5,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, the court continued the defendant’s bond.

Assistant United States Attorney Tonya Sulia Goodman is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, Monroeville Police Department, Stowe Township Police Department, Ingram Borough Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police, and Monaca Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Rosario.

PITTSBURGH - A drug rehab counselor from McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, has been charged by a federal grand jury in a superseding indictment with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin; distribution of heroin and fentanyl resulting in serious bodily injury; distribution of fentanyl; and possession with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl. Also charged in the conspiracy count are two residents of New York, NY.

The six-count superseding indictment, returned under seal on February 28, named David Francis, 66, described in a previously filed criminal complaint as the operator of Next Step Recovery Housing in McKees Rocks. The superseding indictment also named William Rosario, 23, and Jose Ortega, 31, both of New York City.

According to the superseding indictment, from in and around November 2016 through in and around February 2017, Francis, Rosario, and Ortega conspired to possess with intent to distribute and distribute 100 grams or more of heroin. The superseding indictment further alleges that on or about June 23, 2017, Francis distributed heroin which caused serious bodily injury to a user of the heroin. On or about September 18, 2017, Francis also distributed fentanyl which caused serious bodily injury to users of the fentanyl. The superseding indictment also alleges that on or about September 21, 2017, Francis distributed a quantity of fentanyl, and on or about October 6, 2017, Francis possessed with intent to distribute quantities of heroin and fentanyl.

With respect to the charges against David Francis, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 20 years in prison and up to life, a fine of $5,000,000, or both. For William Rosario and Jose Ortega, 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 Attorney Tonya Sulia Goodman is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, Monroeville Police Department, Stowe Township Police Department, Ingram Borough Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police, and Monaca Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the superseding indictment in this case.

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

PITTSBURGH - A resident of McKees Rocks, Pa., has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of possession with intent to distribute heroin, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

The one-count indictment, returned on November 1, named David Francis, age 65, of McKees Rocks, PA. A previously filed criminal complaint described Francis as operator of Next Step Recovery Housing in McKees Rocks, Pa.

According to the indictment, on or about October 6, 2017, Francis possessed with intent to distribute a quantity of heroin.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, 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 Tonya Sulia Goodman is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

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