A New Castle man has been sentenced to six years in federal prison after pleading guilty to drug and firearm offenses, according to an announcement from Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti.
Michael Rodich, 41, received his sentence on July 28, 2025, from United States District Judge W. Scott Hardy. The conviction stems from Rodich’s arrest by the New Brighton Police Department on September 29, 2023. At the time of his arrest, Rodich was wanted by the Hermitage Police Department on an open warrant.
Authorities reported that Rodich had a loaded firearm in his waistband as well as drug paraphernalia, crack cocaine, fentanyl pills, and $2,380 in cash. A search of his backpack revealed additional quantities of crack cocaine and powder cocaine, stamp bags containing fentanyl, more drug paraphernalia, a digital scale, a loaded magazine with ten rounds of ammunition, and 27 loose rounds of ammunition. As a previously convicted felon, Rodich was prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition.
Rodich admitted in court to possessing controlled substances with intent to distribute them and possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. He also acknowledged illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon.
When delivering the sentence, Judge Hardy said: “third-party deterrence is very important to this Court” and that perhaps those who are considering committing similar crimes will realize that there are “very significant consequences” if they are caught and will “think differently” before they act.
Assistant United States Attorneys Rebecca L. Silinski and Jacqueline C. Brown prosecuted the case for the government.
Acting U.S. Attorney Rivetti recognized the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with the Hermitage Police Department, New Brighton Police Department, and Ellwood City Police Department for their work during the investigation that led to Rodich’s prosecution.
