Two More Plead Guilty to Drug Trafficking as Part of Investigation into “SCO” Gang

PITTSBURGH, PA – Two Allegheny County 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.

Marcel Sewell, 59, of Braddock, PA, pleaded guilty to two counts related to drug trafficking, before Senior United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab.

Tyrone Roilton, 25, of Braddock, PA, pleaded guilty to one count 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.  Marcel Sewell, Tyrone Roilton, 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 Marcel Sewell, the Court was informed that intercepted communications confirmed that Sewell was conspiring with others to possess with intent to distribute and distribute controlled substances.  Sewell admitted, in conjunction with his guilty plea, that he met with other members of the conspiracy, including “D-Boy” – the street name used by a co-defendant – at a stash house location on Seddon Avenue, in Braddock, which was owned “D-Boy”.  The court accepted Sewell’s guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute 182 grams of cocaine and 114 grams of cocaine base, commonly known as crack, between August 2018 and May 2019.

As to Tyrone Roilton, the Court was informed that intercepted communications confirmed that Roilton was conspiring with others to possess with intent to distribute and distribute controlled substances.  Roilton admitted, in conjunction with his guilty plea, that he met other members of the conspiracy at his residence in Braddock, PA.  The Court was further informed that investigators identified Roilton’s home as a drug distribution location for the “SCO” gang and other members of the conspiracy, which was confirmed on June 12, 2019, when law enforcement searched Roilton’s residence.  In his home, law enforcement found numerous items used by drug-traffickers, including drug packaging and distribution material as well as suspected controlled substances. 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.

Judge Schwab scheduled sentencing for April 29, 2020, at 10:00 AM for Sewell and May 4, 2020 at 10:00 AM for Roilton.  For Sewell, 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 Roilton, the law provides for a total sentence of not more than 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $1,000,000.  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 Sewell and Roilton remain on house arrest 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.