Seven-Month Investigation Leads to Charges, Arrests in Drug Sweep

By Jason Togyer
The Tube City Almanac
December 06, 2018
Posted in: Crime and Police News

More than 30 people were arrested Wednesday during a sweep of suspected narcotics dealers in McKeesport, and police have arrest warrants for another 30.

The sweep was the result of a seven-month investigation and also recovered two handguns and an assault rifle, McKeesport police Chief Bryan J. Washowich said. The investigation is continuing and additional charges are pending, he said.

City police made the arrests along with the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office, county police, county probation officers, state parole officers and local constables, a spokesperson said.

As of Wednesday night, 36 people had been taken into custody by police and 34 suspects remained at large, city officials said.

Washowich thanked the county and state agencies for their participation in what he called a "combined effort" to reduce drug sales in the city.

"It's up to the courts what happens now," McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko said Wednesday night. "To me, our police department is second to none. I'm very proud of them."

In 2019, the city will continue to make public safety "of the utmost importance," the mayor said. "As we continue to partner with regional agencies to curb narcotics distribution in our community, we know we are making McKeesport a safer, healthier place to live."

Arrested on Wednesday were:

David Anderson, 41, of McKeesport, charged by McKeesport police with possession of controlled substances, possession with intent to deliver, delivery of controlled substances and criminal use of communications facilities. Free on $10,000 bond pending a preliminary hearing Dec. 19 before Magisterial District Judge Eugene Riazzi.

Rashad Askew, 31, of McKeesport, charged by McKeesport police with possession of controlled substances, possession with intent to deliver, delivery of controlled substances and criminal use of communications facilities. Free on non-monetary bond pending a preliminary hearing Dec. 19 before Magisterial District Judge Eugene Riazzi.

Benny Brown, 34, of Duquesne, of McKeesport, charged by McKeesport police with possession of controlled substances, possession with intent to deliver, delivery of controlled substances and criminal use of communications facilities. Free on $5,000 bond pending a preliminary hearing Dec. 19 before Magisterial District Judge Eugene Riazzi.

Zelda Brown, 48, of McKeesport, charged by McKeesport police with possession of controlled substances, possession with intent to deliver, delivery of controlled substances and criminal conspiracy. Free on non-monetary bond pending a preliminary hearing Dec. 19 before Magisterial District Judge Eugene Riazzi.

Joshua Cash, 33, of McKeesport, of McKeesport, charged by McKeesport police with possession of controlled substances, possession with intent to deliver, delivery of controlled substances and criminal use of communications facilities. Being held in the Allegheny County Jail in lieu of $5,000 bond pending a preliminary hearing Dec. 19 before Magisterial District Judge Eugene Riazzi.

Dana L. Coles, 20, of McKeesport, of McKeesport, charged by McKeesport police with possession of controlled substances, possession with intent to deliver, delivery of controlled substances and criminal conspiracy. Free on $5,000 bond pending a preliminary hearing Dec. 19 before Magisterial District Judge Eugene Riazzi.

Claudine M. Danca, 51, of McKeesport, charged by McKeesport police with possession of controlled substances, possession with intent to deliver, delivery of controlled substances and criminal use of communications facilities. Being held in the Allegheny County Jail in lieu of $10,000 bond pending a preliminary hearing Dec. 19 before Magisterial District Judge Eugene Riazzi.

James T. Davis Sr., 58, of McKeesport, of McKeesport, charged by McKeesport police with possession of controlled substances, possession with intent to deliver, delivery of controlled substances and criminal use of communications facilities. Free on $5,000 bond pending a preliminary hearing Dec. 19 before Magisterial District Judge Eugene Riazzi.

Joseph V. Derkas, 53, of Port Vue, of McKeesport, charged by McKeesport police with possession of controlled substances, possession with intent to deliver, delivery of controlled substances and criminal conspiracy. Free on non-monetary bond pending a preliminary hearing Dec. 19 before Magisterial District Judge Eugene Riazzi.

Gregory M. Fields, 42, of McKeesport, charged by McKeesport police with possession of controlled substances, possession with intent to deliver, delivery of controlled substances and criminal use of communications facilities. Being held in the Allegheny County Jail in lieu of $10,000 bond pending a preliminary hearing Dec. 19 before Magisterial District Judge Eugene Riazzi.

Koby L. Francis, 20, of McKeesport, charged by McKeesport police with possession of controlled substances, possession with intent to deliver, delivery of controlled substances, criminal conspiracy and criminal use of communications facilities. Free on $5,000 bond pending a preliminary hearing Dec. 19 before Magisterial District Judge Eugene Riazzi.

Makinma Gustave, 46, of McKeesport, charged by McKeesport police with possession of controlled substances, possession with intent to deliver and delivery of controlled substances. Free on non-monetary bond pending a preliminary hearing Dec. 19 before Magisterial District Judge Eugene Riazzi.

Melvyn D. Johnson, 35, of McKeesport, charged by McKeesport police with possession of controlled substances, possession with intent to deliver, delivery of controlled substances and criminal use of communications facilities. Free on $25,000 bond pending a preliminary hearing Dec. 19 before Magisterial District Judge Eugene Riazzi.

Kevin L. Ladson, 36, of West Mifflin, charged by McKeesport police with possession of controlled substances, possession with intent to deliver and delivery of controlled substances. Being held in the Allegheny County Jail in lieu of $10,000 bond pending a preliminary hearing Dec. 19 before Magisterial District Judge Eugene Riazzi.

Damon Lee, 44, of McKeesport, charged by McKeesport police with possession of controlled substances, possession with intent to deliver and delivery of controlled substances. Free on $25,000 bond pending a preliminary hearing Dec. 19 before Magisterial District Judge Eugene Riazzi.

Joseph D. Mann, 43, of McKeesport, charged by McKeesport police with possession of controlled substances, possession with intent to deliver, delivery of controlled substances and criminal conspiracy. Free on non-monetary bond pending a preliminary hearing Dec. 19 before Magisterial District Judge Eugene Riazzi.

Kevin Martin, 53, of McKeesport, charged by McKeesport police with possession of controlled substances, possession with intent to deliver, delivery of controlled substances and criminal conspiracy. Free on non-monetary bond pending a preliminary hearing Dec. 19 before Magisterial District Judge Eugene Riazzi.

Tevin D. Martin, 28, of McKeesport, charged by McKeesport police with possession of controlled substances with intent to deliver, delivery of controlled substances and criminal conspiracy. Being held in the Allegheny County Jail in lieu of $25,000 bond pending a preliminary hearing Dec. 19 before Magisterial District Judge Eugene Riazzi.

Aubrey S. Matthews, 54, of McKeesport, charged by McKeesport police with possession of controlled substances, possession with intent to deliver, delivery of controlled substances and criminal use of communications facilities. Being held in the Allegheny County Jail in lieu of $10,000 bond pending a preliminary hearing Dec. 19 before Magisterial District Judge Eugene Riazzi.

Clifton L. Meade, 50, of McKeesport, charged by McKeesport police with possession of controlled substances, possession with intent to deliver and delivery of controlled substances. Free on $1,000 bond pending a preliminary hearing Dec. 19 before Magisterial District Judge Eugene Riazzi.

Nevin P. Mouzon, 36, of McKeesport, charged by McKeesport police with possession of controlled substances, possession with intent to deliver, delivery of controlled substances and criminal use of communications facilities. Being held in the Allegheny County Jail in lieu of $10,000 bond pending a preliminary hearing Dec. 19 before Magisterial District Judge Eugene Riazzi.

Ian E. J. Payne, 29, of Wilkinsburg, charged by McKeesport police with possession of controlled substances, possession with intent to deliver, delivery of controlled substances and criminal use of communications facilities. Being held in the Allegheny County Jail in lieu of $15,000 bond pending a preliminary hearing Dec. 19 before Magisterial District Judge Eugene Riazzi.

Deshawn L. Perry, 38, of Port Vue, of McKeesport, charged by McKeesport police with possession of controlled substances, possession with intent to deliver, delivery of controlled substances, criminal use of communications facilities and criminal conspiracy. Being held in the Allegheny County Jail in lieu of $10,000 bond pending a preliminary hearing Dec. 19 before Magisterial District Judge Eugene Riazzi.

Ephron D. Prince III, 30, of West Mifflin, charged by McKeesport police with possession of controlled substances, possession with intent to deliver and delivery of controlled substances. Free on $10,000 bond pending a preliminary hearing Dec. 19 before Magisterial District Judge Eugene Riazzi.

Marcus B. Smiley, 37, of McKeesport, charged by McKeesport police with possession of controlled substances, possession with intent to deliver and delivery of controlled substances. Free on $5,000 bond pending a preliminary hearing Dec. 19 before Magisterial District Judge Eugene Riazzi.

Justin Q. Smith, 38, of McKeesport, charged by McKeesport police with possession of controlled substances, possession with intent to deliver, delivery of controlled substances and criminal use of communications facilities. Being held in the Allegheny County Jail in lieu of $10,000 bond pending a preliminary hearing Dec. 19 before Magisterial District Judge Eugene Riazzi.

Gerald L. Walker, 36, of Pittsburgh, charged by McKeesport police with possession of controlled substances, possession with intent to deliver, delivery of controlled substances and criminal use of communications facilities. Being held in the Allegheny County Jail in lieu of $20,000 bond pending a preliminary hearing Dec. 19 before Magisterial District Judge Eugene Riazzi.

Montell R. Wallace, 27, of McKeesport, charged by McKeesport police with possession of controlled substances, possession with intent to deliver, delivery of controlled substances, criminal conspiracy and criminal use of communications facilities. Free on non-monetary bond pending a preliminary hearing Dec. 19 before Magisterial District Judge Eugene Riazzi.

Jason S. Wilkerson, 39, of McKeesport, charged by McKeesport police with possession of controlled substances, possession with intent to deliver, delivery of controlled substances and criminal use of communications facilities. Free on $10,000 bond pending a preliminary hearing Dec. 19 before Magisterial District Judge Eugene Riazzi.

Complete names, ages and addresses were not available Wednesday night for all of the people who were arrested.

Jason Togyer is the editor of Tube City Almanac and the volunteer executive director of Tube City Community Media Inc. He may be reached at jtogyer@gmail.com.

Originally published December 06, 2018.

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