A McKeesport man with prior felony convictions faces a new indictment for ammunition possession following a March 1 gun violence episode. Desmond Dontae Lee, 46, also known as Desmond Donte Lee Belton, could face a maximum of 15 years in prison under federal law, which bars felons from owning firearms or their components, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
The indictment is tied to a shooting at a McKeesport apartment complex earlier this year, a bloody day on which two individuals lost their lives and another was injured. Lee, connected to the investigation, was found in possession of ammunition despite his criminal history, which includes drug trafficking and firearms charges. Assistant United States Attorney V. Joseph Sonson took on the prosecution for the government, underlining the gravity of a felon returning to the orbit of violent crime.
The investigation was a joint operation by the Allegheny County Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It underscores the broader strategy launched on May 26, 2021, to reduce violent crime across communities. While an indictment stands as an accusation, the defendant, in this case, remains innocent until proven guilty, according to officials with knowledge of the investigation.
