PITTSBURGH, PA—U.S. Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today that twelve individuals from the Pittsburgh area have been charged with various narcotics and firearms offenses. A federal grand jury in Pittsburgh returned a three-count indictment naming Cody Duncan, 33, of Verona; Ronell Cathie, 30, of Pittsburgh; Melvin Gaines, 29, of Oakmont; Curtis Williams, 27, of Pittsburgh; Malik Martinez, 27, of Pittsburgh; Cayce Williams, 22, of Pittsburgh; Devaughn Faulk, 27, of Pittsburgh; and Antonio Arrington, 22, of Pittsburgh. The indictment was unsealed today following their arrests.
The defendants are alleged to be members and associates of the Zhoove street gang, which operated in the Allentown, Beltzhoover, Knoxville, and Mount Washington neighborhoods of Pittsburgh. Between March 2024 and July 2024, the defendants allegedly participated in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine and fentanyl. Additionally, Arrington and Curtis Williams are charged with possessing a 9mm handgun and ammunition despite being convicted felons, in violation of federal law.
In related cases, indictments against Morisee Williams, 41; Syere Franklin, 24; and Charles Stephens, 60, all of Pittsburgh, were unsealed today. Each is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Oneal Olive, 31, of Pittsburgh, was also arrested this morning during the execution of search warrants and charged by criminal complaint with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Among the firearms allegedly possessed were an AR-style semiautomatic rifle and a Polymer-80 “ghost gun.”
“Street gangs like the so-called Zhoove gang terrorize our law-abiding neighbors who simply want to live in communities free of deadly drugs and guns,” said U.S. Attorney Olshan. “Today’s arrests demonstrate our ceaseless commitment to protecting the people of western Pennsylvania, and we are grateful for the hard work and dedication of our partners at the FBI who stand shoulder to shoulder with us every day.”
FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Kevin Rojek added, “Armed traffickers who funnel this poison into our neighborhoods act with utter disregard for human life, and today’s arrests should send a clear message there are serious consequences for this illegal activity. The FBI and our law enforcement partners will remain relentless in our efforts to identify, investigate, and hold accountable those who are a danger to our communities.”
The drug-trafficking conspiracy charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1 million, or both. The felon-in-possession charges carry a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based on the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of each defendant.