Canonsburg Police Aid in Heroin Investigation

helped investigate a drug case that led to a Pittsburgh man pleading guilty to a charge of violating federal narcotics trafficking laws, according to the Department of Justice.

Paul Wilkins, 21, pleaded guilty this week to one count before U.S. District Judge Arthur J. Schwab.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that from January 2010 to March 3, 2011, Wilkins conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute at least 60 grams of heroin while he was on bond in four separate state court cases involving heroin trafficking, heroin possession, and gun possession.

Schwab scheduled sentencing for 9:30 a.m. Sept. 10, 2012. The law provides for a total sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1 million or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

In addition to Canonsburg police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Pittsburgh Police Department, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Allegheny County Sheriff's Office, the Ross Township Police Department, and the Allegheny County Police Department also investigated this case.