The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that two Shenandoah residents connected to a large-scale heroin trafficking ring that operated in Schuylkill County during 2012 through September 2015, pleaded guilty Tuesday before Senior U.S. District Court Judge James M. Munley in Scranton.

According to U.S. Attorney Peter Smith, Rhashean Strange, 30, who used the street name "Chicago," pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute more than one kilogram of heroin. Strange admitted to being a leader and manager of the drug conspiracy, and to possessing a firearm in connection with the conspiracy.In a separate proceeding, Carlos Correa, 27, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin. Correa also admitted to possessing a firearm in connection with the drug conspiracy.Strange and Correa were indicted by a federal grand jury in Scranton in September 2015 as a result of an investigation by agents of the FBI, investigators from the Pennsylvania State Police and local police in Schuylkill County.Judge Munley in each case ordered a presentence investigation to be completed and scheduled sentencing for Strange on April 15 and for Correa on April 14. Strange faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a potential maximum sentence of life in prison. Correa faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a potential maximum sentence of 40 years in prison.Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa is prosecuting the cases.This case was brought as part of a districtwide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. Led by the U.S. Attorney's Office, the heroin initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.