Man accused of bringing large amount of drugs into city back in Pittsburgh after monthslong man hunt

PITTSBURGH — A man who’s been on the run for months is now back behind bars at the Allegheny County Jail.

Yan Carlos Pichardo Cepeda, 27, who failed to appear in court twice, was first arrested in September for allegedly bringing cocaine and what police thought was enough fentanyl to kill 35% of Pennsylvanians.

It’s the first time Cepeda has stepped foot in Allegheny County, since he took off last September. His hands and feet were shackled, and he walked into the Sheriff’s department after deputies transported him from New York City.

His case made headlines because Magistrate Xander Orenstein let him out of police custody on non-monetary bond — despite the serious drug charges, his criminal history, and having no ties to Pennsylvania. It brought the issue of no cash bail, and the justice system, to the center of the District Attorney and County Executive Race in November, as several law enforcement leaders criticized Judge Orenstein’s decision.

Channel 11 previously reported that sheriff’s deputies traveled hundreds of miles to New York three separate times trying to find Cepeda.

In February, NYPD eventually arrested him after a traffic stop in the Bronx. He was held there to face charges for a previous sex assault case.

Months later, he’s finally back in Allegheny County to face the charges from last year. Cepeda’s case will now be handled by the Attorney General’s Office.

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