Seven Named in Superseding Indictment Charging Violations of Federal Drug and Firearms Laws

PITTSBURGH, PA – Seven people from Illinois and Pennsylvania have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal drug and firearms laws, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.

]The five-count Superseding Indictment, returned on February 1, 2022, and unsealed today named the following defendants:
• Anthony Cook, 53, of Chicago, IL;
• Curtis Diggs, 51, of Westchester, IL;
• Dion Diggs, 55, of Brownsville, PA;
• Byron McCrae, 42, formerly of Monessen, PA;
• Douglas Smith, 39, of Monessen, PA;
• Michael Martin, 41, of Brownsville, PA; and
• Nadia Wilkins, 45, of Chicago, IL

According to the Superseding Indictment, the defendants conspired to possess with intent to distribute and distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine and 28 grams or more of cocaine base from in and around June 2020 to in and around July 2021. McCrae and Cook are also charged with possessing with intent to distribute and distributing 500 grams or more of cocaine, while McCrae is further charged with possessing with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base, in the form commonly known as crack, all on March 3, 2021. Also on March 3, 2021, McCrae is charged with possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon.

McCrae faces a minimum sentence of 20 years to a maximum of life in prison, a fine of up to $20,500,000, or both. Cook faces a minimum term of 10 years to a maximum of life in prison, a fine of up to $15,000,000, or both. As to the remaining defendants, the law provides for a minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum total sentence of life in prison, a fine of $10,000,000 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, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorneys Yvonne Saadi and Jonathan Lusty are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

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

This prosecution is a result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles high-level drug traffickers,  money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten communities throughout the United States. OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks

A superseding indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.