New Castle felon pleads guilty to fentanyl and cocaine trafficking and firearm possession

PITTSBURGH – A resident of New Castle, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to trafficking fentanyl and cocaine and possessing a firearm after a felony conviction, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. Donald Jeter, 34, pleaded guilty before United States Senior District Judge Arthur J. Schwab to conspiring to distribute fentanyl and cocaine between May 2021 and October 2022 and to possessing a firearm on August 10, 2022, after a felony conviction. Federal law prohibits possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon.

Judge Schwab scheduled sentencing for September 24, 2024. The law provides for a maximum 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 offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendant. Assistant United States Attorney Craig W. Haller is prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, United States Postal Inspection Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Lawrence County Drug Task Force, Mercer County Drug Task Force, New Castle Police Department, Sharon Police Department, and Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Jeter.