PITTSBURGH—A resident of Washington, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 84 months’ imprisonment followed by five years’ supervised release on his conviction of violating federal drug trafficking laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

United States District Judge Terence F. McVerry imposed the sentence on Keith Malone a/k/a K- Rizz, 39.

According to information presented to the court, from in and around January 2011 and continuing thereafter to in and around June 2012, Malone conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.

The prosecution of Malone was the result of a long-term investigation that involved wiretaps on cell phones utilized by several members of the conspiracy. At the conclusion of the investigation, 20 defendants (including Malone) were charged in a large-scale cocaine conspiracy that operated between Warren, Ohio, and Washington, Pa. All 20 defendants have since pleaded guilty. The same investigation also resulted in the prosecution of 10 defendants charged in a large-scale heroin conspiracy that operated between Detroit, Michigan, and Washington, Pa. All 10 defendants have likewise pleaded guilty.

Assistant United States Attorneys Charles A. Eberle and Barbara K. Doolittle prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Malone.