A Beaver County resident pleaded guilty to dealing fentanyl as part of a drug ring around Western Pennsylvania, including Butler County.

Nikia Perkins, 44, pleaded guilty on March 26 to one count of violating federal narcotics laws, according to a statement released by the Department of Justice. According to the statement, Perkins was involved in a drug trafficking operation from September 2016 to July 2017. During that time, Perkins worked with others to distribute and possess at least 1.2 kilograms of fentanyl, a synthetic opiate.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Schupansky and Perkins was arrested as part of a long-term investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation that focused on an organization working in Butler, Beaver and Allegheny counties.

The statement commends several law enforcement entities, including the Cranberry Township Police Department. Perkins was one of 12 people indicted last year in the investigation.

Perkins will be sentenced July 23 and faces a minimum of 10 years in prison and can be fined up to $10 million.