Swissvale & Wilkinsburg Men Indicted on Heroin Trafficking Charges

A Swissvale man is one of 17 residents of the Pittsburgh area and one resident of Michigan that have been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of selling heroin in a trafficking ring, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Tyson Barron, 23, of Swissvale was charged for playing a role in the heroin case. Brandon Massie, 25, of Wilkinsburg also is among the defendents.

According to the superseding indictment, from around March 2009 until around April 2011, Barron and Massie were members of a group that conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin. Others also were charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering. 

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 10 years to life in prison, a fine of $10,500,000, 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 Gregory J. Nescott is prosecuting the case. The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation unit conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.