Pittsburgh drug ring leader sentenced to prison

A Pittsburgh man who authorities say was the ringleader of a drug-trafficking organization has been sentenced to nine to 18 years in prison for for distributing controlled substances in Beaver and Allegheny counties.

Dennis Alexander, 29, was sentenced after having pleaded guilty to four counts of possession with intent to deliver, one count of person not to possess a firearm, and receiving stolen property, state Attorney General Dave Sunday announced.

Authorities said Alexander was living in Pittsburgh while selling heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, oxycodone, methamphetamine, and marijuana in multiple counties. When agents executed a search warrant Jan. 21, 2021, they found drugs and a firearm, which Alexander was prohibited from having.

“(Alexander) pushed a variety of poisons into Western Pennsylvania, valuing financial profits over the harm he caused to people and communities,” Sunday said. “He has had multiple opportunities to reform his criminal behavior, and this sentence reflects the danger his actions bring to our communities.”

The charges resulted from a lengthy investigation by the Office of Attorney General Bureau of Narcotics Investigations and assisted by the Beaver County Task Force, New Brighton Police Department, and Pittsburgh Police.

Alexander allegedly organized the acquisition and distribution of drugs and guns, taking orders from clients and then sending his associates to make the deliveries.

Alexander has two prior felony drug convictions in Pennsylvania from 2016 and 2017.