McKeesport man pleads guilty to distributing heroin, cocaine

A McKeesport man on Wednesday pleaded guilty in Pittsburgh federal court to conspiracy to distribute heroin and cocaine, U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady said.

Leonard Wygant, 37, pleaded guilty to the two counts before Senior U.S. District Court Judge Donetta W. Ambrose. She scheduled sentencing for March 26, 2020.

Prosecutors said the FBI received information that Wygant conspired to distribute the drugs with Thomas Thornton, 42, also of McKeesport.

Last November, Thornton pleaded guilty to illegal drug and gun charges. His sentencing was postponed several times and now is scheduled for Nov. 19.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s office, agents executed a search warrant at the residence of Wygant and Thornton in McKeesport on May 22, 2018.

At the residence, agents found a loaded 9mm semi-automatic pistol, a loaded .45 caliber pistol, stamp bags of heroin; a larger bag of heroin; several small baggies of cocaine; scales and other materials indicative of drug packaging and sales; and two cellphones.

According to court records, Wygant was convicted in 2009 of federal drug charges and in 2016 Thornton was convicted of federal charges of illegal gun possession.

Wygant could be sentenced up to 30 years in prison, fined $2, million, or both. Judge Ambrose ordered the defendant to remain jailed pending sentencing. His actual sentence will depend on the seriousness of the crimes and any prior sentences.