PITTSBURGH, PA — A resident of New Castle, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to charge of violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
Deia Eggleston, age 46, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Eggleston was prosecuted in connection with a cocaine distribution drug trafficking organization located in New Castle, Pennsylvania, that included, among other individuals, Dondi Searcy, Jr. Eggleston participated in the conspiracy by allowing Searcy and others to use her home to manufacture and store illegal narcotics and firearms. She also assisted Searcy in connection with a kilogram of cocaine that Searcy arranged to have mailed from California to the home next door to Eggleston’s residence. That package was intercepted by law enforcement prior to delivery.
Judge Horan scheduled sentencing for June 21, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 40 years in prison, a fine of $5,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Brendan T. Conway is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
This prosecution is a result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles high-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten communities throughout the United States. OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.