3 Charged in Heroin, Fentanyl Trafficking Conspiracy

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Three individuals have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine trafficking, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

The two-count Indictment, returned on February 26, named Brandon Winters, 43, of Plum Borough, PA; Eduard Guzman Rijo, 48, of the Dominican Republic; and Erick Alexander Martinez, 33, of Yonkers, NY.

According to the Indictment presented to the court, in January 2019, Winters, Rijo, and Martinez conspired to possess with intent to distribute and distribute more than one kilogram of heroin/400 grams of fentanyl. Also according to the Indictment, Winters possessed with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine.

The law provides for a minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, a fine of $10,000,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorneys Tonya Sulia Goodman and Jerome A. Moschetta are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.