BOSTON - A Mattapan man was indicted today in U.S. District Court in Boston in connection with distributing cocaine and conspiring with others to distribute cocaine.
Francisco Torres, 37, was indicted today on two counts of distributing cocaine and one count of conspiring with others to distribute cocaine. On Feb. 16, 2017, Torres was arrested in the South End neighborhood of Boston following a sting operation where he was caught allegedly exchanging 850 grams of cocaine for a paper bag containing more than $33,000 in cash. Immediately after the exchange, officers approached Torres, who subsequently threw the bag of cash over a fence. Officers arrested Torres and recovered the money. Torres was initially detained, but released on bond after appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge M. Page Kelley.
The two charges of cocaine distribution each provide for a minimum of five years and no greater than 40 years in prison, a minimum of four years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $5 million. The third charge of conspiracy provides for a maximum of 20 years in prison, a minimum of three years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $1 million. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb; Matthew Etre, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; Colonel Christopher Wagner, Director of the New Hampshire State Police; and Boston Police Commissioner William Evans made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christine Wichers and John T. McNeil of Weinreb’s Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
