ALBANY, NEW YORK - Carlos Leon Rivera, age 62, of Troy, New York, pled guilty today to conspiring to traffic more than 1 kilogram of heroin, and also admitted that the conspiracy involved up to 10 kilograms of heroin.
The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon; Special Agent in Charge Ray Donovan, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division; and Rensselaer County Sheriff Pat Russo.
In pleading guilty, Leon admitted to working with Mario Figueroa-Portalatin to sell heroin in and around Troy, from January 2019 to March 2020. Leon admitted to regularly traveling to New York City, where he would acquire at least 500 grams of heroin at a time from Figueroa’s source of supply. Leon brought the heroin back to Troy, where he and Figueroa prepared and packaged it for sale to customers.
Leon also admitted that when DEA and other law enforcement searched his apartment on March 30, 2020, he possessed approximately 31 grams of heroin, 23.7 grams of fentanyl (in tablet form), and 60 grams of cocaine; $7,150 in drug proceeds; a Ruger model EC9S, 9mm handgun; and a Glock 30.45 caliber handgun.
Leon, who has been in custody since March 30, 2020, faces at least 10 years and up to life in prison, as well as post-release supervision of at least 5 years and up to life, when Chief United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby sentences him on Oct. 28, 2021. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
Figueroa-Portalatin, age 42, of Troy, pled guilty on Aug. 11, 2020 to conspiring to distribute 1 kilogram or more of heroin, and is pending sentencing.
A third defendant, Jose Leon Roldan, age 42, of Troy, has pled not guilty to drug charges and is pending trial. The charges against Jose Leon Roldan are merely accusations. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
This case is being investigated by the DEA and the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barnett.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
