Four Charged with Violating Federal Drug Laws

PITTSBURGH – Two Pennsylvania residents and two New Yorkers have been charged in an Indictment by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh with violations of federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

The indictment, returned on Nov.19, named the following people:

• Forrest Gilmore, 20, of New Castle, PA;
• Rondell Evans, 22, of Buffalo, NY;
• Melvin Dorsey-Pace, 23, of New Castle, PA; and
• Jada Davis, 21, of Buffalo, NY.

According to the Indictment, from in and around January, 2015, and continuing thereafter to in and around November, 2015, in the Western District of Pennsylvania and elsewhere, Gilmore, Evans, and Dorsey-Pace conspired with one another and others to possess with intent to distribute and distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base. Additionally, on or about November 2, 2015, in the Western District of Pennsylvania, Evans and Davis possessed with intent to distribute a sum of cocaine base.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than five years and up to 40 years in prison, a fine of $5,000,000, or both for defendants Gilmore, Evans, and Dorsey-Pace. The provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than twenty (20) years, a fine of $1,000,000.00, or both for defendant Davis. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan B. Ortiz is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the New Castle Police Department, and the Lawrence County Drug Task Force conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case. These defendants were prosecuted through a multi-agency federal effort within the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement

Task Force (OCDETF) program. 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.

An indictment is an accusation. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.