PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Ronell Cathie, a 31-year-old Pittsburgh resident, has pleaded guilty in federal court to possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, as well as possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.
Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced that the guilty plea was entered before United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan on July 16, 2025. The court heard that between March 2024 and July 2024, Cathie participated in a conspiracy to distribute Schedule II controlled substances, which include fentanyl and cocaine.
During the execution of a search warrant at Cathie’s residence on July 19, 2024, law enforcement recovered a stolen firearm, a magazine, and ammunition. This recovery came after Cathie had already accumulated multiple prior felony convictions for firearms, making his possession of a firearm illegal under federal law.
Judge Horan has set sentencing for November 12, 2025, where Cathie could face up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1 million, or both. The actual sentence will be determined by the severity of the offenses and the defendant’s prior criminal history.
Assistant United States Attorneys Katherine C. Jordan and Kelly M. Locher are handling the prosecution on behalf of the government. The investigation that led to Cathie’s arrest was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation as part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) initiative, which targets high-level drug traffickers and criminal organizations.
While awaiting sentencing, Ronell Cathie will remain in custody.
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Weapons|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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