BOSTON - A Dominican national was indicted by a federal grand jury this week on fentanyl possession charges.
Juan Gabriel Bautista Vargas, 30, was indicted on Wednesday, March 3, 2021 on one count of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. Bautista Vargas was previously arrested and charged by criminal complaint on Feb. 5, 2021.
According to charging documents, investigators coordinated a controlled purchase of a half-kilogram of fentanyl on Feb. 4, 2021 and Bautista was arrested when he arrived to deliver the drugs.
The charge of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of $10 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division made the announcement today. The Boston Police Department provided critical assistance in the investigation of this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren A. Graber of Mendell’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed 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
