Convicted Drug Dealer Sentenced to 5-10 Years in State Prison

INDIANA CO., Pa. (EYT) – A man convicted of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl was sentenced to up to ten years in state prison in Indiana County on Tuesday.

District Attorney Bob Manzi announced on Tuesday that defendant Kyle Rider was sentenced to serve five to ten years incarceration in a State Correctional Facility by the Honorable President Judge Thomas M. Bianco.

Rider entered a guilty plea on the lead charge of Possessing 1-10 grams of Fentanyl with the Intent to Distribute on June 15, 2021. Due to the severity of the charges and the Rider’s criminal history, a pre-sentence report was ordered.

According to a release from Manzi’s office, in February 2020, members of the Indiana Borough Police Department and the District Attorney’s Drug Task Force conducted an investigation for reports that Rider was selling heroin/fentanyl in our community. Law enforcement utilized a confidential informant to complete a controlled buy of narcotics from Rider. During the investigation, Rider reportedly sold approximately two grams of a mixture of heroin and fentanyl to the confidential informant.

“This defendant will not have the chance to sell this poison in our community for at least five years. I hope that other drug dealers take note of the lengthy sentences occurring for drug dealers in our county and stop selling narcotics,” Manzi said.

“If someone else wants to take Mr. Rider’s business, we will investigate, prosecute and send them to state prison as well.”

District Attorney Bob Manzi announced a new hotline for members of the local community to provide information about suspected drug dealing, child abuse, senior abuse and other crimes.

If you believe you see evidence of drug dealing or other criminal activity in Indiana County, please call 724-471-7777 or e-mail DADetectives@indianaCountyPa.gov.