BOSTON - A Lawrence man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to drug and firearm charges.
Melvin Difo, 31, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, heroin, and oxycodone; one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute oxycodone; and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon. U.S. District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock scheduled sentencing for Sept. 6, 2017.
In the fall of 2015, federal investigators learned that Difo was receiving oxycodone from a supplier. Investigators arranged to have two sources make numerous controlled purchases of narcotics from Difo. In August 2016, two federal search warrants were executed, one at Difo’s home where a firearm was recovered, and one at his business, where approximately 40 grams of heroin, 100 grams of cocaine, and 860 oxycodone pills were recovered.
The charge of possession with intent to distribute provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, a minimum of three years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of $1 million. The charge of conspiracy provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, a minimum of three years and up to five years of supervised release, and a fine of $1 million. The firearm charge provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. 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 and Michael J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division, made the announcement today. The Massachusetts State Police and Lawrence Police Department provided valuable assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Rosen of Weinreb’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
