PITTSBURGH, PA - Three former residents of Southwestern
Pennsylvania pleaded guilty in federal court to charges related to drug
trafficking in connection with a large-scale investigation conducted by the
Greater Pittsburgh Safe Streets Task Force, United States Attorney Scott W.
Brady announced today.
Kreg Williams, 29, formerly of Duquesne, pleaded guilty to
one count related to drug trafficking, before Senior United States District
Judge Arthur J. Schwab.
Dorian Boyd, 25, formerly of Braddock, pleaded guilty to two
counts related to drug trafficking, also before Judge Schwab.
Philip Matey, 54, formerly of North Braddock, pleaded guilty
to three counts related to drug trafficking, also before Judge Schwab.
In connection with the guilty pleas, the court was advised
that the Greater Pittsburgh Safe Streets Task Force conducted a long-term
investigation of drug trafficking occurring in and around the Braddock section
of Pittsburgh. Kreg Williams, Dorian
Boyd, Philip Matey, and other individuals, were identified as members or
associates of a neighborhood based street gang, self-titled “SCO”, which
illegally distributed controlled substances in the Greater Pittsburgh
region. In January of 2019,
investigators obtained authorization to conduct a federal wire investigation,
which continued through May of 2019.
As to Kreg Williams, the Court was informed that intercepted
communications confirmed that Williams was conspiring with others to possess
with intent to distribute and distribute controlled substances. Williams admitted, in conjunction with his
guilty plea, that he is a member of “SCO.”
The court was further advised that on June 12, 2019, Williams possessed
three firearms, all of which Williams agreed to forfeit. The court accepted Williams’ guilty plea to
conspiracy to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base, commonly known as
crack, a Schedule II controlled substance, between August 2018 and May 2019.
As to Dorian Boyd, the Court was informed that intercepted
communications confirmed that Boyd was conspiring with others to possess with
intent to distribute and distribute controlled substances. Boyd admitted, in conjunction with his guilty
plea, that he initially served as a drug runner for other members of the
conspiracy but, in March of 2019, operated one of the telephones that law
enforcement was interception. The court
was further informed that through intercepted communications as well as
surveillance, law enforcement confirmed that Boyd conducted his drug-trafficking
activity primarily at the Library Street Basketball Courts’ parking lot as well
as at a residence on 13th Street in Braddock.
On June 12, 2019, the court was further advised that law enforcement
seized from Boyd’s residence $1,787.00, drug packaging material, suspected
controlled substances as well as two firearms. The court accepted Boyd’s guilty
plea to conspiracy to distribute 19.3 grams of heroin, a Schedule I controlled
substance, and 21.7 grams of cocaine base, commonly known as crack, a Schedule
II controlled substance, between August 2018 and May 2019.
As to Philip Matey, the Court was informed that intercepted
communications confirmed that Matey worked as a handyman for one of the other
members of the conspiracy and was often paid in controlled substances. Matey admitted, in conjunction with his
guilty plea, that he oversaw renovations at homes located on Seddon Avenue in
Braddock, which were owned by another member of the conspiracy and used as
stash houses, drug distribution locations, and meeting sites for members of the
conspiracy. Additionally, Matey allowed
other members of the conspiracy to use his residence on Taylor Avenue as a
place to meet drug customers. The court
accepted Matey’s guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute 15 grams of heroin and
10.6 grams of cocaine base.
Judge Schwab scheduled sentencing for April 23, 2020, at
10:00 AM for Williams, April 23, 2020 at 11:00 AM for Boyd, and April 28, 2020,
at 10:00 AM for Matey. For Williams, the
law provides for a total sentence of not less than five years and not more than
40 years in prison, with a maximum fine of $5,000,000. For Boyd and Matey, the law provides for a
total sentence of not more than 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of
$1,000,000 at each count. Under the
Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the
seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the
defendants. Both Williams and Boyd were
previously ordered detained by the court and will remain incarcerated pending
sentencing. Matey was released on bond
pursuant to the court’s prior order and will remain out on bond pending
sentencing.
Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca L. Silinski is
prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the multi-agency
investigation of this case, which also included the Drug Enforcement
Administration, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, United
States Marshals Fugitive Task Force, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office,
Allegheny County Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania
Attorney General’s Office Bureau of Narcotics, and the Pittsburgh Bureau of
Police. Other assisting agencies include the Monroeville Police Department,
Penn Hills Police Department, Wilkinsburg Police Department, and Allegheny
County Adult Probation.
The investigation was funded by the federal Organized Crime
Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF).
The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination
that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully
identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug
trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.
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