BOSTON - A Springfield man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Springfield in connection with his role in a large-scale drug conspiracy that trafficked dozens of kilos of heroin and fentanyl into Springfield from Bronx, N.Y., and the Dominican Republic.
Marcos Pena, 31, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to distribute and possession with intent to distribute heroin and two counts of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin. U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni scheduled sentencing for Sept. 24, 2019.
Pena admitted to his part in the conspiracy, which included, amongst other roles, transporting tens of thousands of dollars at a time to sources of heroin in the Bronx and transporting multiple kilograms of heroin back to Springfield, where the heroin would then be packaged at Springfield-based heroin mills.
Pena also admitted to distributing heroin to a government witness on two separate occasions in February 2016. On Feb. 10, 2016, Pena and co-defendant Alberto Marte sold approximately 125 grams of heroin to the witness. Pena again sold 125 grams of heroin to the same witness on Feb. 24, 2016.
Marte has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.
The charge of conspiracy to distribute heroin provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, a minimum of three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $5 million. Each charge of distribution of more than 100 grams of heroin provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, a minimum of four years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $10 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New England Division; Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; Hampden County District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni; Colonel Kerry A. Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Acting Springfield Police Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood; Chicopee Police Chief William Jebb; Holyoke Police Chief Manny Febo; and West Springfield Police Chief Ronald Campurciani made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil Desroches of Lelling’s Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendant is presumed to be 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
