Alleged Drug Kingpin Faces New Indictment

BALTIMORE (AP) -- An alleged Baltimore drug kingpin and a co-defendant are now facing money laundering conspiracy charges.

A federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment Wednesday charging Steven Blackwell, 26, and Joy Edison, 24, both of Elkton, with conspiring to distribute heroin, launder money and defraud the U.S. government. It seeks forfeiture of $10 million.

The pair was originally indicted on drug charges last year. The new indictment alleges that Blackwell and Edison tried to hide the millions they made through the sale of heroin in Baltimore from the government by buying casino chips, winning lottery tickets, luxury items and real estate. It also alleges that they laundered money through a car dealership in return for checks.

Blackwell remains detained. Edison was released to the supervision of U.S. Pretrial Services.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)