Federal Jury Convicts Pittsburgh Man on Drug Charge

PITTSBURGH - After deliberating for two hours, a federal jury of nine women and three men found Rodney Howard guilty of one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute 100 Grams or More of Heroin, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Rodney Howard, 31, was tried before United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania..

According to Assistant United States Attorneys Cindy K. Chung and Stephen Gilson, the evidence presented at trial established that on or about Sept. 18, 2014, Howard possessed with the intent to distribute 100 grams or more of a mixture and substance which contained heroin, a Schedule I controlled substance.

Judge Hornak scheduled sentencing for April 18, 2016 at 2 p.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than five years and up to forty years in prison, a fine of $5,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Howard.