ALLEGHENY COUNTY — Attorney General Dave Sunday, along with Allegheny County law enforcement leaders, announced nearly 20 arrests and the seizures of 17 firearms, as part of the “Summer Suppression” initiative, aimed at reducing drug dealing and illegal firearms in the McKeesport area.
Investigators also seized about $40,000 worth of cocaine, along with quantities of heroin, fentanyl, and marijuana during the months-long, collaborative enforcement effort.
Among those charged are: Rontay Strothers, Michael Hunter, Tara Fender, Bailey Loveday, Brandon Dellapenna, Franklin Gribschaw, Jaquan Smith, Marcel Freeman, Oji Pride, Tavion Hurt, Trevon McCrary, Andre Fuller, Chance McIver, Derrick Blake, Edward Dudley, John Hopper, Marsean Scott, and Noah Hamlin.
The operation was a joint effort between the Office of Attorney General’s Bureau of Narcotics Investigations and the Allegheny County Gun Violence Task Force, the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, McKeesport Police Department, Pa. Department of Corrections Parole Division, and other partners.
“The McKeesport community has experienced drug trafficking and illegal possession of firearms — and violence that results from those elements — so we collaborated with partners to make a significant impact on reducing that criminal conduct,” Attorney General Sunday said. “This was the perfect opportunity for our Allegheny County-based Gun Violence Task Force to join forces with local law enforcement to remove deadly firearms from neighborhoods and hold accountable the dangerous individuals toting them.”
Allegheny County Sheriff Kevin M. Kraus said:
“One of the reasons why an operation like this is successful is due to the working relationships and the common goal that all of law enforcement, including Attorney General Sunday, shares to keep our residents safe. My office is committed to that mission each day and when needed and requested, we will absolutely provide the resources necessary to ensure that these types of initiatives accomplish the objective of a safer community to live, work and raise a family.”
McKeesport Police Chief Josh Alfer said:
“Our community, from these events, reap benefits of safer streets for our kids to play, without having to worry about having any act of violence.”
The summer initiative kicked off around Memorial Day, and concluded with a final arrest sweep last week. In all, 18 people are facing charges related to illegal possession of firearms and/or drug trafficking.
The seized guns range from handguns to AR-15 assault rifles. Ammunition was recovered as well.
Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala’s office will prosecute the cases.
The following agencies participated in this initiative: Allegheny District Attorney’s Narcotics Enforcement Team, McKeesport Police Department, the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Department, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Clairton Police Department, Jefferson Hills Department, West Mifflin Police Department, the U.S. Marshals Service and Pennsylvania State Probation and Parole.
Criminal charges, and any discussion thereof, are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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