A federal jury in Pittsburgh has convicted Tre Robert Goins, 31, of Donora, Pennsylvania, for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The verdict was announced by Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti after the jury deliberated for four hours on August 27, 2025.
Goins was tried before Senior United States District Judge Joy Flowers Conti. Evidence presented during the trial showed that on May 24, 2024, Goins fled from a traffic stop initiated by the City of Duquesne Police Department. He led law enforcement on a high-speed chase exceeding 100 mph before crashing his vehicle. Officers recovered fentanyl, cocaine, and a stolen loaded firearm from the car. The jury determined that Goins possessed the firearm to further his drug trafficking activities.
In July 2025, Goins pleaded guilty to two additional charges related to the same incident: possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. These offenses carry potential penalties including up to 20 years in prison and fines up to $1 million. For his conviction at trial—possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking—Goins faces an additional sentence ranging from five years to life in prison (to be served consecutively), along with possible fines up to $250,000. Sentencing is influenced by federal guidelines considering offense severity and criminal history.
Judge Conti has scheduled sentencing for all three violations for October 22, 2025.
Assistant United States Attorneys Kelly M. Locher and Katherine C. Jordan are prosecuting the case.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; City of Clairton Police Department; City of Duquesne Police Department; and Elizabeth Township Police Department.
This prosecution falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative designed to reduce violent crime and gun violence through coordinated efforts among law enforcement agencies and community organizations. In May 2021, the Department introduced new strategies aimed at strengthening PSN’s focus on building trust within communities, supporting violence prevention programs, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and evaluating outcomes through measurable results.
