Assistant attorneys Mark Moore, William Witherspoon and Deborah Barbier prosecuted on behalf of the South Carolina U.S. Attorney's Office.

The prosecutors said the drugs were smuggled from Puerto Rico in ceramic dolls and stuffed animals and given to inmates by women during visitation hours.

Seventeen people pleaded guilty before the trial, which began March 8.

The leader of the gang called G-27, inmate Jorge Gonzales-Vasquez, 40; his brother Daniel Gonzales-Vasquez, 32; his nephew Juan Carlos Rodriguez, 22; and Eastover resident Sharon Hopkins, 35, were convicted Friday of conspiracy to distribute heroin.

The only defendant left, the mother of Jorge and Daniel Gonzales-Vasquez, had her case delayed during the 11-day trial that ended last week, Mr. Moore said. He would not say why.

In addition, the brothers were convicted of conspiracy to launder money. Jorge Gonzales-Vasquez also was convicted of two counts of smuggling drugs into a federal prison and two counts of distribution of heroin.

Ms. Hopkins also was convicted of witness tampering.

Mr. Moore said sentencing will come within 90 days after, Chief U.S. District Judge Joe Anderson reviews reports from probation officials.

Jorge Gonzales-Vasquez faces 30 years in prison for the drug conspiracy count, 20 years in prison for the money-laundering conspiracy count, 30 years for the other counts and $3 million in fines.

Daniel Gonzales-Vasquez and Mr. Rodriguez each face 20 years in prison for each count and $2 million in fines.

Ms. Hopkins, an inmate's sister, faces 20 years in prison and a $2 million fine for the drug conspiracy count, and 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for witness tampering.

Mr. Moore said there is a good possibility the inmates who have pleaded guilty or have been convicted in the case will be removed from the prison in Edgefield.

Reach Matthew Boedy at (803) 648-1395 or matthew.boedy@augustachronicle.com.