CONCORD, N.H. - Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced that four residents of Lawrence, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute heroin during a period beginning in 2013 and ending in October 2016.
The defendants were part of an indictment returned by the grand jury for the District of New Hampshire on October 5, 2016, charging 16 individuals with participating in the conspiracy.
According to documents on file with the court and statements made during the change of plea hearings, the drug trafficking organization responsible for distributing heroin was managed by Alberto Guerrero Marte, age 34. Day to day customer orders for heroin were taken by Michell DeJesus, age 37, and the information was provided to Marte. The heroin was delivered to the customers at various residences in Massachusetts by Maribel Santiago Ramos, age 34, and others. Each of these defendants admitted to trafficking one kilogram or more of heroin during the conspiracy.
Defendant Allison DeJesus, age 18, also took customer orders for heroin and re-supplied Santiago Ramos when deliveries were made.
A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for Oct. 27, 2017, for Allison DeJesus. Sentencing hearings have been scheduled for Nov. 1, 2017, for Marte, Michell DeJesus, and Maribel Santiago Ramos. The United States has agreed to recommend a sentence of 15 years for defendant Marte and a sentence of five years of probation for defendant Allison DeJesus. The sentences for the remaining defendants will be determined at the time of sentencing.
“Opioid abuse is at epidemic levels in the Granite State and those suffering from the disease of heroin and fentanyl addiction need access to treatment and recovery," said Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Ferguson. “But, those responsible for distributing lethal drugs like heroin to the citizens of New Hampshire need to be held accountable for their actions. DEA is committed to aggressively pursue Drug Trafficking Organizations or individuals who are coming from out of state to distribute this poison across New Hampshire in order to profit and destroy people’s lives. This investigation demonstrates the strength and continued commitment of our local, state and federal law enforcement partners."
Defendant Luis Rodriguez Lugo is scheduled for trial on September 6, 2017. Defendants Jonaly DeJesus, Allan Pimentel, Santo Garcia Mendez, Wilkin Beltre Aria, Alfredo Gonzalez, Querzon Baez, Pedro Vincente Guerrero, Jose Pimentel and Edward Garcia are scheduled for trial on Oct. 3, 2017.
The case was investigated by the DEA; Homeland Security Investigations; 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. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Don Feith.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
