Posted by By Amanda Klein | November 14, 2018
A former clerk with the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office pleaded guilty in federal court Wednesday to tipping off suspected drug dealers about an impending raid.
Erika Romanowski, 40, of Pittsburgh, pleaded guilty to one count of obstruction of justice.
According to a court document, between February and April 2018, Romanowski disclosed sensitive law enforcement information to two of her friends who were suspected members of “a large-scale, violent drug trafficking organization in the West End.”
Romanowski called one friend and told him to “stay home” because police and agents would be conducting a raid.
In another call to a second man Romanowski said, “I just heard they are hitting houses over there… the feds called for back-up.”
A sheriff’s office official confirmed that federal agents were conducting a “roundup” in the West End at the time Romanowski made the calls, the document said.
During a June 20 interview with FBI agents she repeatedly lied about having disclosed the information.
Romanowski’s sentencing is scheduled for March 18, before U.S. District Judge Arthur J. Schwab.
She faces up to 20 years in prison, a fine of not more than $250,000, or both.
Amanda Klein can be contacted at amanda.klein@grantstreetnews.com
