A press release from the Office of U.S. Attorney, Paul J. Fishman:

Two members of a large-scale drug trafficking organization Monday admitted conspiring to distribute heroin in Monmouth and Ocean counties, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Robert Ketcham, 28, of Bayville, and Kenneth Greenhow, 41, of Asbury Park, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Peter G. Sheridan in Trenton federal court to separate information charging them each with one count of conspiring to distribute heroin.

In March 2014, 21 alleged members of the Britt-Young DTO, a drug trafficking organization named after its leaders, Robert Britt and Rufus Young, were charged by criminal complaint with conspiring to distribute heroin. Of those 21 individuals, 14 have pleaded guilty.

According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court:

Between February 2013 and December 2013, Ketcham conspired with Young and others to distribute heroin in Ocean and Monmouth counties as part of the Britt-Young DTO.

From October 2013 through March 2014, Greenhow also conspired with Young and others to distribute heroin on behalf of the Britt-Young DTO. Ketcham and Greenhow were collectively responsible for distributing between 60 and 100 grams of heroin.

The narcotics conspiracy charge to which Ketcham and Greenhow pleaded guilty carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and $1 million fine. Sentencing for both defendants is scheduled for Aug. 18, 2015.

U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI, Red Bank Resident Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Richard M. Frankel, with the investigation leading to Monday’s guilty pleas.