PITTSBURGH, PA – On July 18, 2024, a former resident of Detroit, Michigan, pleaded guilty in  federal court to drug trafficking charges and was sentenced to nine years in prison, followed by four  years of supervised release, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.  

Senior United States District Court Judge David S. Cercone imposed the sentence on Andrew  Brent Steel, 33.  

According to evidence presented during a prior hearing, federal, state, and local law  enforcement operating under the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program in Beaver  County conducted a joint investigation into a drug trafficking organization from Detroit, Michigan,  that was distributing controlled substances in and around Beaver County, Pennsylvania. Several  controlled purchase operations revealed that drug customers would call a cellular telephone to  purchase drugs. After negotiating the sale, the dealer would direct customers to one of several drug runners from apartments in Ambridge or New Brighton, Pennsylvania. Law enforcement identified  the members of the conspiracy through the interception of members transporting controlled  substances from Detroit into Beaver County, in addition to controlled purchase operations. In total,  law enforcement seized 130 grams of acetyl fentanyl, 330 grams of a fentanyl and heroin mixture,  and 200 grams of cocaine base, in the form commonly known as crack. At the time of Steel’s arrest,  he was found in possession of the cellular phone used in all controlled purchase operations.  

Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna prosecuted this case on behalf of the  government.  

United States Attorney Olshan commended the Drug Enforcement Administration,  Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, and Pennsylvania State Police for the investigation  leading to the successful prosecution of Steel and his conspirators.