Grand jury fingers 7 in alleged Pittsburgh region heroin scheme

A federal grand jury indicted seven people from Pittsburgh and Allegheny County’s eastern and southern suburbs in a purported scheme to sell more than 2 pounds of heroin, documents unsealed Thursday show.

From June through December of this year, the co-defendants are accused of plotting to acquire and sell the drug to addicts in places such as North Versailles, Munhall and Stowe, U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady said.

The defendants are: Lamont Goodwine Jr., 31, of Carrick; Raymond Jones, 33, of Wilkinsburg; Robert Howard, 33, of Bethel Park; David Joyner, 24, of McKeesport; and Martise Smith, 27, Duane Henderson, 30, and Mbuitidem Essiet, 23, all of Pittsburgh.

The indictment cited evidence that the group conspired to possess and sell more than a kilogram of heroin, or about 2.2 pounds — enough to fill thousands of stamp bags, the small packets frequently used to distribute the illegal street drug.

If convicted on all charges, each defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 10 years to life in prison and a fine up to $10 million, Brady said.

The grand jury returned the indictment on Tuesday. The document became public Thursday.