Homewood Youth Football Coach Charged In Heroin Bust

None — A Pittsburgh-area youth football coach has been arrested in a heroin bust.

State police in Pittsburgh charged Robert Burgess, 32, and Vaughn Beck, 24, on Friday after police said the men took part in a drug buy with undercover officers. Investigators in Westmoreland County said they seized more than 300 bags of heroin from a vehicle owned by Burgess, who has a history of drug arrests.

Pennsylvania state troopers said they arranged an undercover drug exchange with Beck on Tuesday morning. Undercover troopers said they met Beck in a parking lot in North Versailles to purchase six bricks of heroin. Police said Beck arrived with Burgess, and both were arrested.

According to investigators, Beck told police that the drugs belonged to Burgess, who was the driver and owner of the sport utility vehicle. Beck also told police that Burgess supplied the drugs for the deal.

"Whether they're the person that's selling the drug or transporting the drug in their vehicle, the fact that that's what they're doing with their time and extracurricular activities, it's horrible that that person would be associated with our youth," said Trooper Steve Limani.

Police said Burgess is a coach for the Homewood Bulldogs youth team.

Allegheny County Midget Football League president Jose Regus said head coaches currently undergo background checks before working with kids, but assistant coaches do not. He pledged to expand checks to all volunteers.

Beck remains behind bars and Burgess posted bail.

Currently, Pittsburgh police are investigating a shooting that occurred near one of the Homewood Youth football games Sunday, where 20 shots were fired and several people were injured. Police have not said if Burgess's arrest for drugs is related to the shooting.

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