Howard McFadden, Drug Trafficking, Pennsylvania 2019

Howard McFadden, 30, Pleads Guilty to Multiple Charges

Howard McFadden, 30, of Turtle Creek, PA, pleaded guilty in federal court to multiple counts related to his involvement in conspiracies to distribute controlled substances in Southwestern Pennsylvania.

According to the Greater Pittsburgh Safe Streets Task Force, McFadden was the leader of a neighborhood-based street gang, self-titled 'SCO,' responsible for distributing controlled substances in Western Pennsylvania.

In January of 2019, investigators obtained authorization to conduct a federal wire investigation, which continued through May of 2019. Through the course of this investigation, intercepted communications confirmed McFadden's involvement in drug-trafficking as well as other members, associates, and/or suppliers of McFadden – and SCO.

As part of his guilty plea, McFadden admitted to using younger SCO members and associates as runners and couriers to facilitate drug transactions with his drug customers. He also used a number of houses, throughout Braddock, including houses that he owned via his house-flipping business, H&M Home Solutions, as stash house locations.

McFadden also admitted to conspiring to distribute 1,128 grams of heroin, 2,546 grams of cocaine, and 371.15 grams of cocaine base. Additionally, he pleaded guilty to unlawfully possessing a Glock 30, .45 caliber automatic pistol, which law enforcement seized at the time of his arrest.

McFadden was arrested on June 12, 2019, and law enforcement seized from him a Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Glock pistol, high-end jewelry, and a total of $23,578.

McFadden's sentencing is pending and he will be held accountable for his crimes.

Mandatory Facts:

• Defendant: Howard McFadden, 30
• Criminal Charges: Conspiracies to distribute controlled substances, unlawful possession of a firearm
• City and State: Pittsburgh, PA
• Exact Date: June 12, 2019
• Sentence: Pending
• Dollar Amounts: $23,578

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa/pr/sco-gang-leader-and-2-associates-plead-guilty-multiple-charges