Monessen Resident Indicted for Violating Federal Narcotics and Firearms Laws

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Monessen, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal narcotics and firearms laws, First Assistant United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

The three-count Indictment named Anthony Crews, 52, as the sole defendant.

According to the Indictment, on or about June 25, 2025, Crews possessed with intent to distribute crack cocaine. The defendant is also charged with possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and possession of a firearm and ammunition after having been convicted of multiple prior felonies, including on state aggravated assault, drug trafficking, and firearm offenses. Crews also was previously convicted on a federal drug trafficking offense. Federal law prohibits possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 10 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $5.5 million or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney V. Joseph Sonson is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.