Three Drug Traffickers Sentenced to Prison following Greater Pittsburgh Safe Streets Task Force Investigation

PITTSBURGH, PA – Three former residents of the Pittsburgh area have been sentenced in federal court this week on their convictions of narcotics trafficking, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Senior United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab imposed the sentence on Michael Rose, 28, formerly of Pittsburgh, PA, Kreg Williams, formerly of Duquesne, PA, and Marvin Porter, 49, formerly of Allison Park, PA.

Rose was sentenced to 102 months’ imprisonment followed by four years of supervised release. Williams was sentenced to 63 months’ imprisonment followed by four years of supervised release. Porter was sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment followed by four years of supervised release.

According to information presented to the Court, the Greater Pittsburgh Safe Streets Task Force conducted a long-term investigation of drug trafficking occurring in and around the Braddock section of Pittsburgh. Rose, Williams 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. Rose, Williams, and Porter, along with 30 others were indicted in June of 2019 by a federal grand jury in three separate, but related, Indictments.

As to Rose, the Court was informed that intercepted communications confirmed that Rose was conspiring with others to distribute controlled substances in Western Pennsylvania. On April 15, 2019, Rose was apprehended by law enforcement while conducting a drug transaction in the parking lot of the Monroeville Mall. After arresting Rose and seizing a firearm, which Rose was not permitted to possess, as well as heroin, cocaine and cocaine base, all packaged for resale from the vehicle, Rose broke free from law enforcement and ran into the Monroeville Mall while in handcuffs. Rose was sentenced for distributing 198.4 grams of heroin, 28 grams of cocaine, and 154 grams of cocaine base, commonly known as crack.

As to Williams, the Court was informed that intercepted communications confirmed that Williams, a member of the street gang, "SCO", was conspiring with others to possess with intent to distribute and distribute controlled substances, namely, 28 grams or more of cocaine base, commonly known as crack, a Schedule II controlled substance, between August 2018 and May 2019. Additionally, on June 12, 2019, Williams possessed three firearms, including an assault rifle and two pistols, all of which were forfeited to the government.

As to Porter, the Court was informed that in April of 2019, while intercepting communications over telephones used by Howard McFadden, SCO’s leader, law enforcement identified Chadlin Leavy as a source of supply for heroin and cocaine. I n April of 2019, investigators obtained authorization for the interception of wire and electronic communications over a telephone operated by Chadlin Leavy. Intercepted communications confirmed that Mr. Porter, who is not associated with SCO, was conspiring with others to possess with intent to distribute heroin. On June 12, 2019, law enforcement seized a suitcase containing 612 bricks and one bundle of heroin, six firearms as well as related magazines and ammunition, jewelry, and a digital scale from Mr. Porter’s residence.

Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca L. Silinski prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

United States Attorney Brady commended the multi-agency team, which was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Porter, Rose and Williams. Partners in this investigation 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 included the Monroeville Police Department, Penn Hills Police Department, Wilkinsburg Police Department, and Allegheny County Adult Probation.

This case is part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force program, known as OCDETF. OCDETF was established in 1982 to support comprehensive investigations and prosecutions of major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. It is the keystone of the drug reduction strategy of the Department of Justice. By combining the resources and expertise of federal agencies and their state and local law enforcement partners, OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the most serious drug trafficking, money laundering, and transnational criminal organizations.