A Taunton man who authorities say attempted to continue his heroin business while in jail, has been sentenced to almost five years in federal prison.

The U-S Attorney's Office says 28 year old Nathan Pinho was awaiting trial on firearms and drug charges in August 2015 when he wrote his girlfriend, Adrianna Gerardi from jail, instructing her on how to continue selling heroin on his behalf.

Authorities say he spelled out how to obtain the drugs, how to cut the product, and how much to charge. He also wrote to his heroin supplier, Adilson Teixeira, thanking him for helping his girlfriend.

But Pinho's letters were intercepted by authorities who immediately began an investigation. An undercover officer purchased heroin from Gerardi on five occasions in December 2015, and January 2016. The operation ended with the arrests of Pinho, Gerardi and Teixeira in April 2016 on drug conspiracy charges.

Gerardi pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two years probation. Teixeira also pleaded guilty and received a 41 month sentence in federal prison, plus three years supervised release. Pinho pleaded guilty and received a 57 month sentence, and three years supervised release.

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