A federal jury in Pittsburgh found Tre Robert Goins, 31, of Donora, Pennsylvania, guilty on August 27, 2025, of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti.
Goins was tried before Senior United States District Judge Joy Flowers Conti. During the day and a half trial, evidence showed that on May 24, 2024, Goins fled from a traffic stop initiated by the City of Duquesne Police Department. The incident led to a high-speed chase with speeds exceeding 100 mph and ended when Goins crashed his vehicle. Police recovered fentanyl, cocaine, and a stolen loaded firearm from the car. The jury determined that Goins possessed the firearm as part of his drug trafficking activities.
In July 2025, Goins pleaded guilty to two other charges related to this event: possession with intent to distribute quantities of fentanyl and cocaine and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. These charges carry penalties including up to 20 years in prison and fines up to $1 million. For his conviction at trial for possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, he faces an additional sentence ranging from five years up to life in prison (to be served consecutively), along with possible fines up to $250,000. Sentencing will be based on federal guidelines considering the seriousness of the offenses and Goins’ prior 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 is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative that coordinates law enforcement agencies at various levels with community organizations to reduce violent crime and gun violence across neighborhoods. In May 2021, the Department launched an updated strategy for PSN focused on building trust within communities, supporting violence prevention efforts through local organizations, prioritizing targeted enforcement actions, and tracking outcomes.
