St. Thomas, USVI - On Tuesday, March 29, 2016, Jose Luis Ponce-Pagan, 36, of Puerto Rico, pleaded guilty in federal c ourt on St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, be for e the Honorable Curtis V. Gomez to conspi racy to possess cocaine wi th the intent to distribute, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced today. Sentencing is scheduled for July 28, 2016.
According to the plea agreement filed with the court, between Aug. 30, 2015, and Sept. 3, 2015, Ponce-Pagan knowingly conspired with other individuals to purchase approximately 100 kilograms of cocaine on St. Thomas for distribution in Puerto Rico. He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and a $10,000,000 fine. Ponce-Pagan remains in custody pending sentencing.
This case is the result of a joint investigation by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sigrid M. Tejo-Sprotte.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
