3 plead guilty in federal case of heroin trafficking

CLEVELAND — Three defendants pleaded guilty today in a federal heroin-trafficking case; and a jury trial began that day for a fourth defendant.

Vincent D. Moorer, 31, of Lithonia, Ga., who was accused of leading an effort to run heroin from Georgia to Youngstown from January 2013 until last fall, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute heroin and conspiracy to launder money.

Pleading guilty to the same charges were his co-defendants, Keyonia M. Moorer and Charity A. Cousin.

All are set for July sentencings by U.S. District Court Judge James S. Gwin.

Another defendant, Jabbar D. Spires, who withdrew his earlier guilty plea, went on trial on charges of conspiracy to distribute heroin and using a telephone to facilitate drug trafficking.

Vincent Moorer’s plea followed Judge Gwin’s denial last week of his motion to exclude results of wiretaps and an Oct. 12, 2014, traffic stop from evidence.

For the complete story, read Tuesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com