Steward Sentenced for Laundering Drug Proceeds

PITTSBURGH – In a gritty courtroom drama, Donnell Steward faced justice after being sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for conspiring to launder drug trafficking proceeds between 2017 and 2019.

United States Attorney Scott W. Brady made the announcement, emphasizing that Steward’s sentence would be served consecutively to his current imprisonment at Otisville, New York. The additional year of supervised release following his prison term underscores the severity of his crimes.

Steward, now 51 years old, was no stranger to justice. He had previously been incarcerated for several convictions in the District of Columbia, including assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and armed robbery.

The drugs Steward was involved in distributing included Schedule I synthetic cannabinoid controlled substances, which have been linked to severe illness and deaths across the United States. His actions were part of an organized effort that needed the combined resources of multiple federal agencies and local law enforcement partners to dismantle.

Assistant United States Attorney Craig W. Haller prosecuted the case with determination, ensuring justice was served for the victims. The multi-agency investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, among others.

This case is a stark reminder of the efforts made by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) since its establishment in 1982. OCDETF has been instrumental in identifying, disrupting, and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, contributing significantly to the Department of Justice’s strategy against drug reduction.

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