Recidivist Pittsburgh Drug Trafficker Pleads Guilty to Large-Scale Cocaine Distribution Charge

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Kevin Rucker, 53, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge William S. Stickman IV.

In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that Rucker was responsible for distributing large quantities of cocaine in the Pittsburgh area, having distributed between 15 and 50 kilograms of the drug between July 2022 and June 2023. Rucker was previously convicted in 2015 in federal court in Pittsburgh of conspiring to distribute heroin.

Judge Stickman scheduled sentencing for July 2, 2024. As a result of Rucker’s criminal history, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 15 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $10 million, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, the Court ordered that the defendant remain detained.

Assistant United States Attorney Douglas C. Maloney is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Drug Enforcement Agency, in conjunction with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Rucker.

This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.