A McKeesport resident has admitted guilt in a federal firearms violation, as revealed by Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti. Desmond Dontae Lee, also known as Desmond Donte Lee Belton, aged 46, appeared in front of Senior United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer on April 10, 2025, where he acknowledged a single charge related to possession of ammunition by a convicted felon.
Details shared in court indicate that on March 1, 2023, Lee and his son were part of a group outside an apartment in McKeesport. When confronted by the apartment's resident, a physical altercation led to the resident shooting and killing one of Lee’s group members. Lee then fired five rounds into the resident's apartment and subsequently fled. His son, in turn, shot and killed the resident. The weapon used by Lee was never retrieved, though shell casings were collected by the authorities. His previous convictions for drug trafficking and firearms offenses make firearm or ammunition possession unlawful under federal law.
The sentencing for Lee is set for July 15, 2025, with potential penalties reaching up to 15 years of imprisonment and a $250,000 fine, according to statutory provisions. The final judgment will consider the gravity of the offense and Lee’s criminal history.
Assistant United States Attorney V. Joseph Seeson is overseeing the prosecution. The investigation was carried out by the Allegheny County Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a collaborative effort among law enforcement and community groups aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence. Since May 26, 2021, the Department has emphasized trust-building, support for violence prevention organizations, strategic enforcement priorities, and assessing outcomes within the initiative.