BOSTON - A Dominican national pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to heroin trafficking.
Angel Martinez-Peguero, 28, formerly of Lawrence, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, one count of possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs scheduled sentencing for Jan. 14, 2021.
In January 2019, Angel Martinez-Peguero was charged along with his brother Alexander Martinez-Peguero, 39, who previously pleaded guilty.
On Dec. 20, 2018, investigators seized nearly one kilogram of heroin from the Martinez-Peguero brothers during a law enforcement operation in Lawrence. Investigators also seized a loaded semi-automatic pistol from Angel Martinez-Peguero’s waistband upon his arrest. During a search of the Martinez-Peguero brother’s residence agents seized over $15,000 cash and $17,000 worth of jewelry.
The charges of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin carry a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years of supervised release and a fine of $5 million. The charge of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison to be served consecutive to any sentence imposed for the underlying drug trafficking crime. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew Lelling; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New England Division; and Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip C. Cheng of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
