BOSTON - A Chicopee man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to his role in a cocaine conspiracy.
Carlos Mares Jr., 40, of Chicopee, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine. U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani scheduled sentencing for Nov. 12, 2019.
Between 2015 and 2016, one of Mares’ co-conspirators, David Cruz, obtained cocaine from sources in Mexico and arranged for the cocaine to be transported to the Springfield area via concealed compartments in a Nissan Juke. Mares then purchased more than 400 grams of cocaine from Cruz with the intent to distribute it. Cruz has pleaded guilty to cocaine and firearms offenses and is awaiting sentencing before U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman.
Because Mares has a prior drug conviction, he faces up to 30 years in prison, a minimum of six years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $2 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 and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division, made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation in Boston and the Westfield Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katharine A. Wagner of Lelling’s Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The remaining defendants are 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
