Police light, traffic safety officer - Stock Photo by Daniel Tadevosyan
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.
Pittsburgh Fugitive Arrested After Evading Police for Two Months
PITTSBURGH, PA—Sheriff Kevin M. Kraus announced the arrest of 39-year-old Jarrell Saunders, who had been a fugitive since June following a bench warrant for violating bond conditions. Saunders was involved in a shootout with McKees Rocks Police Officers and Pennsylvania Attorney General Narcotics Task Force Agents back in February 2023.
Detectives received a tip this week about Saunders' location at a residence in the 100 block of Sylvania Avenue. Upon their arrival late this morning, they were met with no response after announcing their presence, leading to a forced entry into the home. Saunders was found hiding on the second floor in an attempt to evade arrest.
Saunders is one of three men charged with firing numerous shots at law enforcement officers during the 2023 incident. He has been on the run for the past two months after Judge Edward Borkowski issued a bench warrant for his arrest. The arrest marks a significant development in the case and underscores the ongoing efforts to bring those charged with serious crimes to justice.
Two Men Arrested on Attempted Murder Charges in Maryland Arson CasePRINCESS ANNE, MD—Maryland State Police have apprehended two men, Lascelles David Beckford and Dante Jamar Stone, on charges of attempted first-degree murder and arson after they allegedly set a house on fire with two people inside. The incident took place on the Eastern Shore in Princess Anne, with additional charges including burglary, reckless endangerment, and malicious destruction of property brought against the duo.
The arrests occurred yesterday following a report to the Princess Anne Barrack at approximately 3:45 PM on August 13, 2024. The report detailed an attempted illegal entry and subsequent arson at a residence in the 12,000 block of Independence Court. Investigators say Beckford and Stone used gasoline to ignite the rear of the house and obstructed the front exit with a mattress to hinder escape.
Troopers, who were patrolling the area shortly after the incident, identified two individuals matching the suspects' descriptions. Beckford attempted to flee upon being approached but was quickly detained after a brief chase, during which a 14-inch machete was confiscated from his possession. Stone was located and arrested without resistance in the vicinity soon after.
Both suspects are currently being held without bond at the Somerset County Detention Center. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported as the occupants managed to evade harm. The ongoing investigation suggests that Beckford and Stone were familiar with the residents of the targeted home, hinting at a possible motive linked to personal grievances.
Former Queens Nursing Home Director Charged with Stealing Over 1,500 Oxycodone PillsQUEENS, NY—Charles Gonder, 52, a former director at two Queens nursing homes, was arraigned today on multiple drug and fraud charges, following accusations that he stole more than 1,500 oxycodone pills from his employers. The Queens District Attorney, Melinda Katz, revealed that the long-term investigation into Gonder’s activities culminated in his arrest this morning.
Gonder is charged with first and third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, 26 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree, and additional counts related to fraud and petit larceny. He could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted. His court return is scheduled for October 15.
The investigation highlighted that during his brief tenures at the Regal Heights Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in Jackson Heights and the Sapphire Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing of Central Queens in Flushing, Gonder was responsible for the collection and disposal of unused medications. It was during this period that significant quantities of oxycodone, slated for destruction, went missing.
Further complicating his case, Gonder failed to disclose his prior criminal convictions on job applications at both facilities. His employment at Regal Heights lasted from May 4 to May 12, 2023, during which time audits identified missing narcotics linked directly to his management. A similar pattern emerged at the Sapphire Center, where he was employed shortly afterward, resulting in his termination last month following another revealing audit in March 2024.
The case continues to develop as the New York State Department of Health’s Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement, which played a crucial role in the investigation, seeks to establish the full extent of the alleged misconduct.
