3 Plead Guilty in “SCO” Drug Trafficking Ring

PITTSBURGH, PA - Three former 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.

Kreg Williams, 29, formerly of Duquesne, pleaded guilty to one count related to drug trafficking, before Senior United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab.

Dorian Boyd, 25, formerly of Braddock, pleaded guilty to two counts related to drug trafficking, also before Judge Schwab.

Philip Matey, 54, formerly of North Braddock, pleaded guilty to three counts 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.  Kreg Williams, Dorian Boyd, Philip Matey, 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 Kreg Williams, the Court was informed that intercepted communications confirmed that Williams was conspiring with others to possess with intent to distribute and distribute controlled substances.  Williams admitted, in conjunction with his guilty plea, that he is a member of “SCO.”  The court was further advised that on June 12, 2019, Williams possessed three firearms, all of which Williams agreed to forfeit.  The court accepted Williams’ guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base, commonly known as crack, a Schedule II controlled substance, between August 2018 and May 2019. 

As to Dorian Boyd, the Court was informed that intercepted communications confirmed that Boyd was conspiring with others to possess with intent to distribute and distribute controlled substances.  Boyd admitted, in conjunction with his guilty plea, that he initially served as a drug runner for other members of the conspiracy but, in March of 2019, operated one of the telephones that law enforcement was interception.  The court was further informed that through intercepted communications as well as surveillance, law enforcement confirmed that Boyd conducted his drug-trafficking activity primarily at the Library Street Basketball Courts’ parking lot as well as at a residence on 13^th Street in Braddock.  On June 12, 2019, the court was further advised that law enforcement seized from Boyd’s residence $1,787.00, drug packaging material, suspected controlled substances as well as two firearms. 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. 

As to Philip Matey, the Court was informed that intercepted communications confirmed that Matey worked as a handyman for one of the other members of the conspiracy and was often paid in controlled substances.  Matey admitted, in conjunction with his guilty plea, that he oversaw renovations at homes located on Seddon Avenue in Braddock, which were owned by another member of the conspiracy and used as stash houses, drug distribution locations, and meeting sites for members of the conspiracy.  Additionally, Matey allowed other members of the conspiracy to use his residence on Taylor Avenue as a place to meet drug customers.  The court accepted Matey’s guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute 15 grams of heroin and 10.6 grams of cocaine base.

Judge Schwab scheduled sentencing for April 23, 2020, at 10:00 AM for Williams, April 23, 2020 at 11:00 AM for Boyd, and April 28, 2020, at 10:00 AM for Matey.  For Williams, 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 Boyd and Matey, the law provides for a total sentence of not more than 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $1,000,000 at each count.  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 Williams and Boyd were previously ordered detained by the court and will remain incarcerated pending sentencing.  Matey was released on bond pursuant to the court’s prior order and will remain out on bond 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.