Upper St. Clair Man Pleads Guilty in Cocaine Trafficking Scheme

An Upper St. Clair man pleaded guilty in federal court to a cocaine trafficking scheme.

David Curran, 28, of 336 Brookside Blvd., Upper St. Clair, pleaded guilty to four counts of violating federal narcotic laws before U.S. District Judge Judge Terrence F. McVerry on Aug. 8.

According to the prosecution, Curran, along with Bradley Barndt, 26, of 416 West Patriot St., Somerset; and Franco Badini, 39, of 827 Railroad St., McKees Rocks, conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine from January 2009 to Dec. 15, 2009. In addition, on Aug. 21, Oct. 3 and Oct. 29, 2009, Curran distributed cocaine.

A federal jury found Barndt and Badini guilty of one count of violating federal narcotic laws on Tuesday. Their sentencing will take place on Dec. 1. Curran is scheduled for sentencing on Dec. 9, 2011. The three men face 10 years to life in prison, a fine of $4 million or both.

Pending sentencing, the court continued Curran's and Barndt's detention and revoked Badini's bond.

The Drug Enforcement Administration including task force officers Nick Falascino, Matt Truesdell and Eric Harpster; the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police; the Pittsburgh Division of Weed and Seed; the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office; the Pennsylvania State Police; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the U.S. Marshals Service; and the FBI conducted the investigation leading to the prosecution of Curran, Barndt and Badini.