BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Elisa Rivera Ortiz, 36, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted attempted possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, was sentenced to serve 46 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Adler, who handled the case, stated that on April 8, 2017, United States Postal Inspectors intercepted a package during a routine inspection of incoming parcels that contained cocaine. The package was addressed to the defendant. On June 29, 2017, the Postal Inspectors seized a second package, which was also addressed to the defendant, and found cocaine.
On July 6, 2017, a controlled delivery of a package containing sham cocaine and a monitoring device was conducted at the defendant’s Warren Avenue residence. Once the monitor alerted investigators that the package had been opened, they entered the residence and executed a search warrant. Ortiz attempted to run out the side door but was taken into custody. During the search, investigators located the package of sham cocaine, drug packaging materials, a digital scale with suspected cocaine residue, and a small bag of marijuana. Ortiz’s son and three other minor children were in the residence at the time.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge James J. Hunt, New York Field Division, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Boston Division Acting Inspector-in-Charge Delany E. De Leon-Colon.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
