Judge adds 3 years to Shaler man’s 12-year sentence for selling heroin paraphernalia

A federal judge added three more years to a Shaler man’s 12-year prison sentence because he continued to sell heroin paraphernalia at his family’s stores in the North Hills even after getting caught, prosecutors said Thursday.

Mayank Mishra, 38, pleaded guilty to criminal contempt and drug charges in November for violating judicial orders to stop selling drug paraphernalia — including cutting agents used to manufacture and dilute heroin and glassine bags, the small glossy paper packets in which heroin is often sold, U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady said.

Investigators first served search warrants at Mishra’s home and business in February 2013. He was released on condition of his bond.

Law enforcement learned that Mishra was continuing to sell the illegal paraphernalia upon his release.

Officials confirmed he was doing so by having a confidential informant purchase from Mishra material typically used to dilute heroin and the bags used to store and sell heroin, prosecutors said.

During a subsequent second search of Mishra’s business and home, law enforcement found more cutting agents, glassine bags, marijuana paraphernalia and $86,000 in cash, prosecutors said.

Mishra was not released on bond the second time.

In August 2016, a federal jury convicted Mishra and a co-conspirator of five counts of drugs and firearms offenses.

Mishra and his family for years ran stores that sold the paraphernalia, including the Rock America store at Northway Mall in Ross.

Prosecutors said their sales had ties to the East Hills Bloods gang.

Mishra initially was sentenced to 12 years and seven months in prison followed by five years of probation and ordered to forfeit $906,000 seized by the government during searches of his business and home.

The three-year prison sentence imposed this week by U.S. District Judge Cathy Bissoon will begin once Mishra completes his 12-year sentence in 2028.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan T. Conway prosecuted the case.

The investigation was led by the Greater Pittsburgh Task Force, which includes the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office and police from Pittsburgh, Oakdale, Wilkinsburg and Allegheny County.

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