PITTSBURGH - Two residents of Paterson, New Jersey, have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of violating federal drug laws, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.
The one-count indictment named Jose Aponte, age 47, of Paterson, New Jersey, and Carolyn Spann, age 53, of Paterson, New Jersey.
According to the indictment presented to the court, from 2013 to September 2017, Aponte and Spann conspired to possess with intent to distribute and distribute one kilogram or more of heroin.
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.
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. Assistant United States Attorney Conor Lamb is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
