United States v. Figueroa

SELYA, Circuit Judge.

In 2009 a federal grand jury returned a 23-count indictment against six individuals, including two brothers, appellants Ervin Figueroa and Elio Figueroa. The indictment charged the group with conspiring to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin and with a litany of specific drug, firearms, and money laundering offenses. All of the charges stemmed from the defendants’ alleged participation in a sprawling drug ring that imported heroin from Guatemala into Rhode Island.

Several of the persons indicted entered guilty pleas, but the two Figueroa brothers and a third…