ERIE, Pa. - A resident of Erie, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of violating federal drug laws, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
Abimael Arroyo-Garcia, 36, pleaded guilty to two counts before United States District Judge Susan Paradise Baxter.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Arroyo-Garcia was involved in a conspiracy to distribute large quantities of cocaine and heroin in Erie, Pennsylvania from November 2017 through February 2020. On Feb. 10, 2020, investigators seized approximately $250,000.00 in cocaine destined for Erie from Puerto Rico as part of this conspiracy.
Judge Baxter scheduled sentencing for Dec. 13, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 40 years in prison, a fine of $5,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Paul S. Sellers is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Pennsylvania State Police, Homeland Security Investigations and the United States Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Arroyo-Garcia.
Source: USAO - Pennsylvania, Western
