A West Newton man accused of being part of a Western Pennsylvania drug trafficking operation pleaded guilty in federal court to distributing heroin.

William Kalna, 51, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute heroin and one count of possession of firearms and ammunition by a person addicted to a controlled substance, U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady said.

Kalna was one of 33 people charged in connection with the conspiracy by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh over the summer.

Those involved were accused of trafficking heroin, cocaine, crack and marijuana, prosecutors said.

According to Brady, Kalna was identified through a long-term investigation of drug trafficking occurring in and around the Braddock section of Pittsburgh by the Greater Pittsburgh Safe Streets Task Force.

From Jan. 2019 through May 2019, investigators conducted a federal wiretap investigation. That investigation confirmed that Kalna was getting heroin from another member of the conspiracy, which he used and distributed in Westmoreland County, Brady said.

Authorities obtained a federal warrant to search Kalna’s home on June 12, 2019. During that search, authorities seized 28 firearms, a large quantity of ammunition, $2,669, and four digital scales.

According to prosecutors, Kalna, who was at the time addicted to heroin, was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.

Kalna also took responsibility for conspiring to possess with intent to distribute 254 grams of heroin, prosecutors said.

Kalna’s sentencing is set for May 12.

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