Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: 25 Defendants of the “Major Stackz Entertainment” Street Gang have been Indicted on Federal Drug Trafficking Charges

 

Memphis, TN – Twenty-five members and associates of an armed drug trafficking organization, Major Stackz Entertainment, have been indicted for conspiring to distribute large quantities of cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and marijuana throughout West Tennessee. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee announced the indictment today.

On January 10, 2018, a federal grand jury returned the indictment, which remained sealed until the defendants’ arrest. On Wednesday, February 7, 2018, federal, state and local law enforcement agencies participated in an early morning round up. This investigation was conducted in conjunction with prosecutors in Memphis as part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Program, which seeks to reduce the availability of drugs by disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, money laundering organizations and related criminal enterprises.

Members and associates of Major Stackz used firearms to protect their supply of drugs, supply routes, profits and distribution territory from competing drug trafficking organizations. The members and associates are from different, traditional street gangs, including the Young Mob, Vice Lords, Gangster Disciples, Kitchen Crip, and Bloods that have joined together to make money through criminal activity.

Symbolism played a large role in Major Stack culture. The primary symbol with which the gang associated was the acronym “MSE” for “Major Stackz Entertainment.” Shirts and social media posts containing words like “MSE,” “Major Stack,” or “Stackz,” were also known as gang identifiers.

Major Stackz started in and primarily operated out of the East Memphis area near the intersection of Kerr and Pillow Street in an area known to the locals as “DHG” or “Dope, hoes and guns.” This area is located in the Western District of Tennessee.

The eighteen defendants listed are currently in custody:

Jarvis Cooper, a/k/a/ “J-Bo” “J-Bizzle,” 31, Memphis, Tennessee

Terence Harper, a/k/a/ “Red,” 44, Memphis, Tennessee

Jackie Arnold, a/k/a “Jackie Red,” 47, Memphis, Tennessee

Joseph Newberry, 40, Memphis, Tennessee

Pamela Perkins, 28, Memphis, Tennessee

Anthony Jones, a/k/a “Squirt,” 24, Memphis, Tennessee

Calvin Myers, a/k/a “CJ,” 20, Memphis, Tennessee

Antonio Worles, a/k/a “Joe,” 19, Memphis, Tennessee

Sandreka Wright, 34, Memphis, Tennessee

Delbert Harrison, a/k/a “Clay,” 30, Henning, Tennessee

Sanitory Campbell, a/k/a “Toe,” 43, Memphis, Tennessee

Antwan Miles, a/k/a “Twan,” 20, Memphis, Tennessee

Darnell Ward, a/k/a “D,” 37, Memphis, Tennessee

Amanda Harrison, 35, Henning, Tennessee

Alberto Chavoya, 34, Memphis, Tennessee

Daryl Mason, a/k/a/ “D,” 28, Memphis, Tennessee

Tim Scotto, 53, Cordova, Tennessee

Sergio Lopez, 34, Compton, California

Count 1 charges Jarvis Cooper; Terence Harper; Jackie Arnold; Pamela Perkins; Joseph Newberry; Anthony Jones; Calvin Myers; Antonio Worles; Darnell Ward; Antwan Miles; Sandreka Wright; Amanda Harrison; and Sanitory Campbell with knowingly possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes; knowingly using and carrying firearms during and in relation to drug trafficking crimes.

Count 2 charges Jarvis Cooper; Terence Harper; Darnell Ward; Joseph Newberry; Anthony Jones; Calvin Myers; Antonio Worles; Antwan Miles; Amanda Harrison; Sandreka Wright; Delbert Harrison; Alberto Chavoya; Daryl Mason; Tim Scott; Sergio Lopez and Sanitory Campbell with the intent to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance.

Count 3 charges Terence Harper; Darnell Ward; Sergio Lopez; Sanitory Campbell and others with the intent to distribute over one kilogram of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of heroin, a Schedule I controlled substance.

Count 4 charges Terence Harper; and Jackie Arnold with the intent to distribute over 5 kilograms of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance.

Count 5 charges Terence Harper, Jackie Arnold and Sanitory Campbell with the intent to distribute over 50 kilograms of marijuana.

Count 6 is redacted at this time as the defendant is not in custody.

Count 7 is redacted at this time as the defendant is not in custody.

Count 8 charges Darnell Ward with knowingly possessing in and affecting interstate commerce a firearm, Taurus Millennium 9mm pistol.

Count 9 charges Terence Harper with knowingly possessing in and affecting interstate commerce a firearm, Ruger SR9C 9mm pistol and a Beretta PX4 Storm .45-caliber pistol.

Count 10 charges Jackie Arnold with knowingly possessing in and affect interstate commerce a firearm, FNS .40 caliber pistol.

Count 11 is redacted at this time as the defendant is not in custody.

Count 12 charges Jarvis Cooper; Antonio Worles; Joseph Newberry and Antwan Miles and others with knowingly and intentionally carrying a firearm, that is: a .380 caliber pistol, during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime; conspiracy to possess with the intent to manufacture and distribute a controlled substance.

Count 13 charges Darnell Ward with knowingly possessing a firearm in furtherance of and in relation to a drug trafficking crime with intent to distribute a controlled substance.

Count 14 charges Terrence Harper and Jackie Arnold with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance.

Count 15 charges Terrence Harper with intentionally possessing a firearm, Beretta PX4 Storm .45 caliber pistol, which had transported in interstate commerce.

Count 16 charges Jarvis Cooper with intent to distribute and distribution of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance.

Count 17 charges Jarvis Cooper with intent to distribute and distribution of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance.

Count 18 charges Jarvis Cooper with intent to distribute and distribution of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance.

Count 19 charges Jarvis Cooper with intent to distribute and distribution of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance.

Count 20 charges Jarvis Cooper; Darnell Ward; Calvin Myers and Anthony Jones with intent to distribute and distribution ofa mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance.

Count 21 charges Jarvis Cooper; Darnell Ward; Calvin Myers and Anthony Jones with knowingly possessing a firearm in furtherance of and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, with intent to distribute a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance.

Count 22 charges Sandreka Wright and Darnell Ward with the intent to promote the carrying on of specified unlawful activity that is knowing that the property involved in the financial transaction represented the proceeds of some form of unlawful activity, in violation of Title 18.

Currently 7 defendants indicted remain at large and are not listed in this release.

The United States also seeks criminal forfeiture of $1,000,000 in U.S. currency, both jointly and severally from Jarvis Cooper; Pamela Perkins; Terence Harper; Jackie Arnold; Darnell Ward; Joseph Newberry; Antwan Miles; Amanda Harrison; Anthony Jones; Calvin Myers; Antonio Worles; Sandreka Wright; Delbert Harrison; Alberto Chavoya; Sanitory Campbell; Daryl Mason; Tim Scott and Sergio Lopez.

During this investigation, agents seized approximately $90,000 in U.S. currency, 40 pounds of methamphetamine, two kilograms of heroin, four kilograms of cocaine, 11 ounces of crack cocaine, over 150 pounds of marijuana and 22 firearms. If convicted, the defendants face mandatory minimum sentences of 10 years imprisonment up to life.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Memphis Police Department, Multi Agency Gang Unit and Shelby County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jerry Kitchen is prosecuting this case on the government’s behalf.

The charges and allegations in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proved guilty.

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Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Convicted Heroin Dealer Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Trafficking Heroin and Deadly Fentanyl

PITTSBURGH – Henry T. Little-Proctor a/k/a “Bundles”, of McKeesport, Pennsylvania, was sentenced in federal court to 10 years in prison as a result of his conviction on multiple charges of violating federal narcotics and firearms laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Little-Proctor, age 27, previously pleaded guilty to five counts before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon.

The court was advised that Little-Proctor conspired to distribute and possessed with intent to distribute both heroin and the even more potent synthetic opiate fentanyl, from late 2015 through July 20, 2016. Specifically, the federal investigation revealed that Little-Proctor was involved with a fentanyl sale on July 13, 2016, and a heroin sale on July 18, 2016. DEA then executed a federal search warrant on July 20, 2016 at a residence utilized by Little-Proctor. There, federal agents located Full Metal Jacketed ammunition for a .223 Rem caliber assault-style rifle and .22 caliber ammunition, as well as 25 “bundles” (250 stamp bags) of heroin. A receipt for the purchase of the .223 Rem caliber ammunition from Gander Mountain was located in the residence and showed that it was purchased on May 14, 2016, along with two extended length magazines for a AR-15 assault-style rifle and a $100 tactical light. The firearms themselves have yet to be located.

Federal law prohibits a person convicted of a prior felony offense from possessing either a firearm or ammunition and the Court was advised that Little-Proctor had been convicted of multiple crimes, including two prior convictions for heroin dealing.

The defendant specifically admitted to selling the fentanyl that caused the July 2016 death of a young woman.

Judge Cathy Bissoon sentenced the defendant to 10 years in prison, followed by six years of supervision by the United States Probation Office and restitution to the victim’s family, after considering the defendant’s criminal, family, educational and work histories.

Assistant United States Attorney Ross E. Lenhardt, of the Violent Crime Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

Special Agents and Task Force Officers from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and law enforcement officers from the Duquesne Police Department, Homestead Police Department, and Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Little-Proctor.

United States Attorney Brady noted that the investigation was funded by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force program (OCDETF). The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal, state, and local agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Pittsburgh Man Sentenced to Prison for Failing to Update his Sex Offender Registration

PITTSBURGH – A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was sentenced in federal court to 19 months’ imprisonment, followed by six months’ community confinement and lifetime supervised release on his conviction for failure to update his registration in accordance with the Sex Offender Notification Act (SORNA), United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer imposed the sentence on Kenneth Patrick Jeffries, 34, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

According to information presented to the court, Jeffries, who had previously been convicted of receiving child pornography, a conviction that required him to register as a sex offender, violated the provisions of SORNA when he failed to properly update his registration in January and February 2017, to reflect his current residential address. Contrary to the conditions of his supervised release, he had been living with his girlfriend, also a previously convicted felon, and her minor children.

Assistant United States Attorney Carolyn J. Bloch prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

The United States Marshals Service conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Jeffries.

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: North Versailles Man Pleads Guilty in Cocaine and Fentanyl Distribution Conspiracy

PITTSBURGH – A resident of North Versailles, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court to conspiring to distribute narcotics, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Dawndre Bivins, 30, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy, between March and August 2017, to distribute cocaine and fentanyl. In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Bivins was responsible for the distribution of 1.9 kilograms of cocaine and 40 grams of fentanyl, which he purchased from his codefendant, Skyler Carter, in the Clairton, Pennsylvania area. He is the fourth of 21 defendants charged to enter a plea of guilty.

Judge Arthur J. Schwab scheduled sentencing for June 26, 2018, at 10 a.m. Bivins has a prior felony drug conviction, and as such, he is subject to enhanced penalties. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 30 years in prison, a fine of not more than $2 million, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will depend upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. Bivins remains incarcerated pending the sentencing hearing.

Assistant United States Attorney Carolyn J. Bloch is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the multi-agency investigation of this case, which also included the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, the Allegheny County Police Department, and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. The investigation was funded by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Federal Inmate Charged With Possession Of A Weapon

            WILLIAMSPORT – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that a federal grand jury in Williamsport indicted a prisoner at the Federal Correctional Institute Allenwood (FCI Allenwood) on the charge of possessing a weapon in prison.  

            According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Lavon Caldwell, age 36, was found in possession of two improvised shanks during a search conducted on March 7, 2017.   

            The charges stem from an investigation by officers at FCI Allenwood and agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Special Assistant United States Attorney Michael P. FiggsGanter is prosecuting the case.

             Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

             A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

          The defendant is facing a maximum of five years of incarceration and a $250,000 fine.   Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant’s educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.

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Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Monroe County Man Guilty Of Heroin Trafficking And Gun Charges

            SCRANTON—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, announced that Laurence Cadogan, age 33, of Stroudsburg, pleaded guilty today to charges of heroin trafficking and unlawfully possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, before U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion.

            According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Cadogan, admitted to possessing with intent to distribute between 60 grams and 80 grams of heroin and unlawfully possessing two firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking. The crimes allegedly occurred on October 26, 2016, in Tannersville. Police and federal agents seized more than 3000 bags of heroin and two firearms during the investigation. Cadogan also agreed to forfeit the two firearms seized by agent.

            Judge Mannion ordered a pre-sentence investigation to be completed. Sentencing will be scheduled after the submission of a pre-sentence report to the court.

            Cadogan was indicted by a grand jury in February 2017.

            The charges against the Cadogan resulted from an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Stroud Area Regional Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa is prosecuting the case.  

            This case was brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.

            This case was also brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.

            The maximum penalty under federal law for the gun offense is life in prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. That charge also carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison. The maximum penalty under federal law for the drug offense is 20 years in prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant’s educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.

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Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: San Ildefonso Pueblo Man Sentenced to Prison for Assaulting a Federal Officer

ALBUQUERQUE – Jordan Roybal, 26, an enrolled member of the San Ildefonso Pueblo who resides in Santa Fe, N.M., was sentenced today in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., to 30 months in prison for assaulting a federal officer.  Roybal will be on supervised release for three years after completing his prison sentence.

Roybal was arrested on March 3, 2017, on a criminal complaint charging him with assaulting a federal officer.  According to the criminal complaint, Roybal was arrested on tribal charges on Nov. 21, 2016, after he assaulted a law enforcement officer of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA).  Roybal committed the assault on San Ildefonso Pueblo in Santa Fe County, N.M., by resisting arrest and challenging the officer to fight.  During the assault, Roybal bit the officer on the wrist.  The officer also sustained skinned knees, a scrape on his left hand, swelling of his right knee and soreness to his left wrist as the result of the assault. 

Roybal was subsequently charged in a two-count indictment on March 28, 2017, with assaulting a federal officer on Nov. 21, 2016 in Santa Fe County, and assaulting a federal officer on Jan. 26, 2017, in Rio Arriba County, N.M.

On July 18, 2017, Roybal pled guilty to Count 1 of the indictment charging him with assaulting a federal officer.  In entering the guilty plea, Roybal admitted that on Nov. 21, 2016, he assaulted a BIA officer while the officer was attempting to arrest him on tribal offenses by lying about his identity, cursing at the officer, resisting arrest, throwing his elbow into the officer, biting the officer, and verbally threatening the officer.

This case was investigated by the Santa Fe office of the FBI and the Northern Pueblos Agency of the BIA’s Office of Justice Services.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Elisa Dimas prosecuted the case.

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Pennsylvania Couple Charged With Distributing Fake Oxycodone Pills Containing Heroin

NEWARK, N.J. – A man and woman from Hazleton, Pennsylvania, were charged today with conspiring to distribute heroin pills that were made to look like 30-milligram tablets of oxycodone, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Francisco Perez, 31, and Nadia Moronta Pena, 33, are charged by criminal complaint with conspiring to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin. The defendants appeared this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael A. Hammer in Newark federal court. Perez was detained. Pena was released on $150,000 unsecured bond.

According to the complaint:

During the course of an investigation into the illegal manufacturing and distribution of opioids and other narcotics in New Jersey, an undercover law enforcement agent received information that Perez was illegally distributing oxycodone.

On Jan. 23, 2018, Perez allegedly met the undercover agent in Paterson, New Jersey, and sold the undercover agent approximately 1,000 pills that were similar in size, shape, color, and physical markings to 30-milligram oxycodone tablets manufactured by pharmaceutical companies. However, when the pills were tested in a lab, they were found to contain a mixture of Tramadol, a Schedule IV synthetic opioid, and heroin.

On Feb. 7, 2018, the undercover agent again met with Perez in Paterson, this time to purchase up to 40,000 pills. During the meeting, Perez motioned to Pena, who brought over a white bag containing thousands of pills for the undercover agent to examine before the deal. Perez and Pena were then arrested at the scene, and law enforcement agents recovered more than 20,000 additional pills that were similar in appearance to the heroin pills that Perez sold the undercover agent on Jan. 23, 2018.

Around the time Perez and Pena were arrested, law enforcement officers conducted a search of their residence in Pennsylvania. They recovered numerous other pills, approximately one kilogram of a powdery substance believed to be heroin, pill-press materials, and a box containing several bottles of liquid labeled “Fentanyl.” A firearm was recovered from inside a compartment in the wall of the residence.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents with the DEA, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Valerie A. Nickerson in Newark, as well as the DEA Scranton Resident Office, the Hazleton Police Department, and the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office with the investigation leading to the charges.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Wangenheim of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force/Narcotics Unit in Newark.

The charge and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Defense Counsel:
Perez: John Yauch Esq.
Pena: Paulette Pitt Esq.

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Citizen of Dominican Republic Sentenced to 36 Months in Prison for Participating in Heroin Trafficking Conspiracy

             CONCORD, N.H. – Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced that Maria Miguelina Lara Lara, a/k/a Maribel Santiago-Ramos, a/k/a La Cuna, a/k/a Miguelina, 33, of the Dominican Republic was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison for participating in a heroin trafficking conspiracy.

            Documents filed with the court established that Lara Lara participated in a drug trafficking organization (DTO) between October 2015 and October 2016 during which time she delivered drugs to customers of the DTO on a daily basis.  The Lawrence-based organization distributed heroin to customers from Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

           The defendant pleaded guilty on July 24, 2017, to conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, heroin. 

           The investigation and prosecution of Lara Lara was part of a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) effort to address heroin distribution in New Hampshire.  In addition to Lara Lara’s prosecution, Alberto Guerrero Marte, 38, was sentenced to 15 years in prison, his brother Toribio Guerrero Marte was sentenced to 10 years in prison, Allison DeJesus, 19, was sentenced to five years of probation, Jonaly DeJesus, 22, was sentenced to time served and five years of supervised release, Allan Raymond Pimentel, 21, was sentenced to 57 months in prison, and Jose De la Altagracia Pimental Lara a/k/a Luis Colon, 26, was sentenced to 63 months in prison.  Michell DeJesus, 34, Santo Rodolfo Garcia Mendez, 33, Wilkin Andres Beltre Arias, 39, and Edward Garcia, 31, are all awaiting sentencing.    In a related case, Mark Gagnon, 54, of Candia, was sentenced to 48 months.

           “Members of the law enforcement community are working together to stop the flow of heroin and other deadly drugs into New Hampshire,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley.  “While we strongly support access to treatment for those suffering from addiction, those who profit from the distribution of these substances will be prosecuted aggressively.”

           “The state of New Hampshire is faced with a fentanyl and heroin crisis unlike ever before,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Ferguson.  “Those suffering from fentanyl and heroin addiction need treatment and recovery, but those that distribute and profit from spreading this misery need to be held accountable.  This investigation demonstrates the strength and continued commitment of our local, state and federal partners and our strong relationship with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.”

           “This case is a great example of how close cooperation among federal, state and local law enforcement can successfully complement the overall fight against the devastating opioid epidemic which has tragically destroyed so many lives nationwide and throughout our region,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Mike Shea, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

           This matter was investigated by the DEA; HSI; the Massachusetts State Police; the Haverhill Police Department; the United States Marshals Service; the New Hampshire State Police; the Manchester Police Department; the Lawrence Police Department; the Lowell Police Department, the Methuen Police Department, and the Hillsborough County Drug Task Force.   The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S Attorney Donald Feith.

            This case was supported by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF).  The OCDETF program is a federal multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional task force that supplies supplemental federal funding to federal and state agencies involved in the identification, investigation, and prosecution of major drug trafficking organizations.  

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Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Holyoke Man Pleads Guilty to Dealing Cocaine

BOSTON – A Holyoke man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Springfield to dealing cocaine.

Raul Ramos, 43, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni scheduled sentencing for May 3, 2018. 

On Nov. 8, 2016, Ramos distributed 27.712 grams of cocaine in exchange for $1,300. The charges are a result of a federal, state, and local law enforcement investigation into drug trafficking in Springfield and Holyoke.

The charging statute provides for a sentence of no greater than 30 years in prison, a minimum of six years of supervised release, and a fine of $2 million dollars. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Colonel Kerry A. Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Springfield Police Commissioner John Barbieri; and Holyoke Police Chief James M. Neiswanger made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd E. Newhouse of Lelling’s Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the case.