New Jersey Woman Pleads Guilty in Heroin Trafficking Conspiracy

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

Carolyn Spann, age 53, Paterson, New Jersey, 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, Spann conspired with others to possess with intent to distribute and distribute one kilogram or more of heroin.

United States District Judge Schwab scheduled sentencing for September 4, 2018 at 9:30 a.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 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.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation along with the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, the Allegheny County Police Department, and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, conducted the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Spann. 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.