A Pittsburgh man has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for his role in a large-scale cocaine trafficking ring operating in the area.
Kevin Rucker, 53, pleaded guilty in March to conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. According to court documents, Rucker distributed between 15 and 50 kilograms – that’s up to 110 pounds – of the drug between July 2022 and June 2023.
During sentencing, Judge William S. Stickman IV highlighted Rucker’s status as a “recidivist drug trafficker” and a “ringleader” in the conspiracy. This wasn’t Rucker’s first brush with the law. Court records show a previous conviction for heroin distribution in federal court back in 2015.
“The successful investigation and prosecution of Kevin Rucker was the result of a coordinated effort between the United States Attorney’s Office and multiple federal and local law enforcement agencies,” said U.S. Attorney Olshan. “Our office remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners to protect the Western District of Pennsylvania from drug traffickers—particularly large-scale, repeat offenders like Rucker—and the harm their criminal activities inflicts on our communities.”
The 15-year sentence, followed by 10 years of supervised release, aims to keep Rucker off the streets and deter others from similar criminal activity.
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