A 27-year-old former Duquesne resident has entered a guilty plea to federal charges of narcotics distribution and illegal firearms possession. Yesterday, Taiwan Donje Rodgers submitted his plea to two counts in the case presided over by Senior United States District Judge Joy Flowers Conti, as officially announced by United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan.
The guilty plea occurred in the context of Rodgers' illicit activities from May 2020. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Rodgers was found to be in unlawful possession with the intent to distribute substances like heroin and fentanyl quickly. Beyond the drug charges, Rodgers, already with a felony conviction to his name, was caught with firearms and ammunition, a direct violation of federal law. This law dictates that anyone with a felony conviction on record may not possess a gun or ammunition in any capacity.
With the gravity of the offenses Rodgers admitted to, he faces a significant potential punishment. The maximum sentence for his crimes could run as high as 20 years in federal prison, coupled with a fine that might reach $1 million. The specifics of Rodgers' sentence will hinge on his offenses' severity and criminal history, as guided by federal Sentencing Guidelines. Judge Conti has marked the calendar for sentencing on April 3, 2025, when Rodgers' fate will be formally sealed.
Assistant United States Attorney Carl J. Spindler supported the government’s case against Rodgers. The Duquesne Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives contributed to the investigation.
The official statement on the case can be found on the U.S. Attorney's Office website.
