New Castle Resident Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl and Cocaine Trafficking

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of New Castle, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court on July 15, 2026, to charges of trafficking fentanyl and cocaine base, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

Akeem Evans, 30, pleaded guilty before Senior United States District Judge David Stewart Cercone to possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, a quantity of fentanyl on March 13, 2024, and possession with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine base on September 12, 2024.

Judge Cercone scheduled sentencing for November 13, 2026. The law provides for a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1 million, or both on each of the two counts. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Craig W. Haller is prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, New Castle Police Department, and Lawrence County Drug Task Force conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Evans.