Robert Howard, Heroin Trafficking, Pennsylvania 2019

A Pittsburgh man has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for his role in a heroin trafficking conspiracy, authorities announced today in federal court.

Robert Howard, 35, of Pittsburgh, was sentenced to 30 months’ imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release on his conviction for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced.

United States District Judge William S. Stickman, IV imposed the sentence, referencing the seriousness of the offense as well as Howard’s criminal history.

According to information presented to the court, Howard conspired to distribute and possessed with intent to distribute heroin from June 2019 through December 2019.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation began investigating a heroin trafficking organization operating throughout the greater Pittsburgh area in 2019, and Howard was a member of the organization.

Beginning in July 2019 and continuing through August 2019, the FBI initiated a Title III wiretap investigation into the organization, during which Howard was intercepted communicating with his codefendant about acquiring quantities of heroin, prices of heroin, and the purity of the heroin.

Through extensive physical and electronic surveillance, Howard was observed meeting with his codefendant to conduct heroin transactions.

Assistant United States Attorney Mark V. Gurzo prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

Acting United States Attorney Kaufman commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the Allegheny County Police Department, the Stowe Township Police Department, the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, the Office of the Attorney General, the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, the North Versailles Police Department, the Allegheny County Port Authority Police Department, the Munhall Police Department, and the Pennsylvania State Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Howard.

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