PITTSBURGH – A resident of Munhall, Pa., pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of cocaine trafficking and illegal firearm possession, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
Shaun Seidling, age 40, pleaded guilty to both counts before United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Seidling arranged to have a kilogram of cocaine mailed to his residence, but postal inspectors seized the package and then executed a search of his residence. There, investigators located items which included the package, additional amounts of cocaine, a 9mm caliber handgun, ammunition for 9mm and .22 caliber firearms, scales and other drug packaging items. Court documents indicate that Seidling has previously been convicted of multiple felony offenses which preclude his lawful possession of a firearm or ammunition. One of those convictions was a prior federal conviction for illegally possessing a firearm.
Judge Schwab scheduled sentencing for October 12, 2022, at 9:30 am. The law provides for a total sentence of at least 5 years and up to 50 years in prison, a fine of up to $5,250,000, 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 Ross E. Lenhardt is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
United States Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation that led to the successful prosecution of Seidling, with valuable assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).