Former McKeesport Resident Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Distribute Heroin and Cocaine

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A former resident of McKeesport, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Leonard Wygant, age 37, pleaded guilty to two counts before Senior United States District Court Judge Donetta W. Ambrose. Judge Ambrose scheduled sentencing for March 26, 2020.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that the FBI received information that Leonard Wygant conspired to distribute drugs with Thomas Thornton. Agents executed a search warrant at Wygant’s McKeesport residence on May 22, 2018. From the residence, agents recovered: a 9mm semi-automatic handgun, with a loaded magazine; a .45 caliber handgun, with a loaded magazine; a holster; ammunition; two Airsoft vests; stamp bags of heroin; a larger bag of heroin; several small baggies of cocaine; scales and other materials indicative of drug packaging/sales; and two cellphones. Ammunition and a baggie of cocaine were found in the room purported to be Wygant’s on the nightstand next to his casino player’s card.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 30 years in prison, a fine of $2,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. Judge Ambrose ordered the defendant to remain detained pending sentencing.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Western Pennsylvania Opioid Task Force conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case. Assistant United States Attorney Shanicka L. Kennedy is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.