NORFOLK, Va. - Juan Rivera-Gutierrez, 35, and Pedro Pabon, Jr., 42, both of Virginia Beach, pleaded guilty today to their respective roles in a three-year conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
According to court documents, Rivera-Gutierrez and Pabon conspired to sell wholesale quantities of cocaine from September 2013 to April 2017. During the course of the conspiracy, both men offered to sell kilogram levels of cocaine ranging from $34,000 to $42,000. Special Agents from the DEA conducted nine controlled purchases and recovered over 500 grams of cocaine. During one controlled purchase, Pabon suggested that a confidential informant add a cutting agent to cocaine known as “Aroma," a product commonly used a carpet cleaner, to increase profits. On another controlled purchase, Rivera-Gutierrez sold $2,000 worth of cocaine and five firearms with multiple 100-round clips and a silencer. The silencer was a Department of Defense asset and the firearms included a Russian shotgun, an Israeli rifle, a stolen AR-15 rifle, and a Colt M-4 rifle.
Rivera-Guitterez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine, possession of firearms during and relation to a drug trafficking crime, and possession of an unregistered firearm (the silencer). Rivera-Gutierrez faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison. Pabon pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine, and faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years in prison and a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison. Both men are scheduled for sentencing on September 21.
Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Mark R. Herring, Attorney General of Virginia; and Karl C. Colder, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Field Division; and Michael B. Boxler, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) Washington Field Division, made the announcement after the pleas were accepted by U.S. Magistrate Judge Lawrence R. Leonard. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney John F. Butler and Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew C. Bosse are prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:17-cr-60.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
