Sep 3, 2013 2 min read

A Donora man who pleaded guilty last month to possessing large quantities of heroin has been sentenced to five to 10 years in prison.

Quinte L. Crane, 35, was sentenced last week by Washington County Judge John DiSalle after pleading guilty Aug. 6 to two counts of possession with intent to deliver heroin and one charge of illegal possession of a firearm.

Police officers from the Washington County District Attorney’s Drug Task Force raided Crane’s home at 637 Fifth St. in Donora Jan. 9 and found drugs, cash, drug paraphernalia and an illegal handgun.

Investigators said they found more than 3,700 baggies of heroin, $33,477 and a loaded .45-caliber revolver with the serial number removed. Investigators said Crane was a mid- to upper-level dealer.

“We will continue to focus our efforts on eliminating and prosecuting dangerous drug dealers operating in Washington County,” District Attorney Gene Vittone said in a written statement.

State police troopers, Donora police officers and Washington County sheriff’s deputies assisted the drug task force with the investigation. Authorities launched the investigation in October 2012 after receiving complaints from neighbors of drug activity in the residence.

Ashley Byrd, 38, who also lived in the house, was arrested during the raid and is awaiting trial on charges of possession with intent to deliver, possession of an illegal firearm, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. She is being held in Washington County jail on $500,000 bond.