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Press Release

New Jersey Man Pleads Guilty in Heroin Trafficking Conspiracy

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Pennsylvania

PITTSBURGH – A resident of Paterson, New Jersey, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal drug laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Jose Aponte, age 47, of pleaded guilty before United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that from 2013 to September 2017, Aponte conspired with others to possess with intent to distribute and distribute 100 grams or more of heroin.

Judge Schwab scheduled sentencing for September 27, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 10 years and up to life in prison, a fine of $20 million, 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.

Assistant United States Attorneys Cindy K. Chung is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the multi-agency investigation of this case, which also included the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, the Allegheny County Police Department, and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. The investigation was funded by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.

Updated April 24, 2018

Topic
Drug Trafficking