The leader of South Side gang DS44 has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after being convicted of drug trafficking.
According to U.S. Attorney Stephen Kaufman, 28-year-old Christopher Highsmith engaged in distributing drugs and directed other members of the gang to do so as well.
Agents seized fentanyl, heroin and other drugs from the organization.
Highsmith pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute over 400 grams of fentanyl and other drugs.
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He also pleaded guilty to possessing with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl.
Through roughly five months in 2019, authorities intercepted communications about drug trafficking between Highsmith and others.
Highsmith has prior drug trafficking convictions.
This latest conviction was part of a large-scale investigation by the Greater Pittsburgh Streets Task Force.