GREENVILLE – A federal grand jury here has returned an indictment charging Ronald Wynn, 44, an inmate at Rivers Correctional Institution (RCI) near Winton, with conspiracy drug charges.

According to Robert J. Higdon, Jr., the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, the two-count indictment alleges that Wynn conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin, and conspiracy to provide and possess prohibited objects, including heroin, within Rivers Correctional Institution.

RCI is a privately owned facility under contract with the Federal Bureau of Prisons to house felons from the District of Columbia.

The indictment, a copy of which was obtained by this newspaper, alleges in count number one that on various dates, Wynn “knowingly and intentionally combine, conspire, confederate, agree, and have a tacit understanding with other persons, known and unknown to the grand jury, to knowingly and intentionally distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of heroin to him” while he was an inmate at RCI.

If convicted of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin, Wynn would face maximum penalties of 20 years imprisonment, a fine of $1,000,000 or both fine and imprisonment, and a term of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.

In count two, the grand jury added that Wynn conspired with persons, known and unknown to obtain heroin and other protected objects.

If Wynn is convicted of conspiracy to provide and possess prohibited objects, including heroin, within RCI he would maximum penalties of 20 years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000 or both fine and imprisonment, and a term of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.

The indictment noted the dates of the alleged offenses to have started in and around 2015 and continued until Feb. 25, 2017.

It further states that Wynn must forfeit to the United States any and all property constituting or derived from any proceeds he obtained directly or indirectly as a result of the said offenses, and any and all property used or intended to be used in any manner or part to commit and to facilitate the commission of the offenses alleged, or any property traceable to such property.

The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

This case was brought by the United States Attorney’s Office through partnerships with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Scott A. Lemmon.