Pittsburgh man accused in 2 overdose deaths gets 23 years in federal prison

A Pittsburgh man who authorities said distributed drugs connected to two fatal overdoses was sentenced Thursday to 23 years in a federal prison, according to U.S. Attorney Scott Brady.

Justin McBride, 27, will spend six years on supervised release after the prison term on charges of distribution of heroin and fentanyl resulting in serious bodily injury and death, Brady said in an announcement.

The drugs authorities said McBride distributed were connected to the deaths of victims only identified as E.B and T.B. in court records. Another person, identified as J.B., overdosed but survived, authorities said.

E.B. died of acute fentanyl toxicity after purchasing drugs from McBride on Oct. 4, 2016, according to the announcement. T.B. died from combined drug toxicity of heroin and fentanyl after purchasing drugs from McBride on Jan. 30, 2017. J.B. overdosed on fentanyl he purchased from McBride on July 8, 2017, but was revived by paramedics.

Police used T.B.’s phone to set up an undercover purchase with McBride.

He was among five people who were indicted in April 2018 in connection with a family-run heroin and fentanyl organization operating out of locations in Pittsburgh and Munhall between 2014 and 2017.