Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Michael Aponte, 32, of Pennellville, New York, and Rawy Correa-Perez, 31, of Avon Park, Florida, were sentenced today by United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher, for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine and possession with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine. Aponte received a sentence of 130 months’ imprisonment with a five-year term of supervised release to follow. Correa-Perez received a sentence of 97 months’ imprisonment with a five-year term of supervised release to follow. There is no parole in the federal system.
Both Aponte and Correa-Perez were found guilty by a jury on May 19, 2022. At trial, Douglas County Nebraska deputies testified that on Feb. 26, 2021, they stopped a vehicle driven by Aponte for a traffic violation. Correa-Perez was a passenger in the vehicle. During the contact with Aponte and Correa-Perez, deputies noted several indicators of criminal behavior. Deputies deployed “Bezos," a certified drug detection canine, to perform a sniff around the vehicle. Bezos indicated to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle. Deputies searched the vehicle and found 34 pounds of cocaine in the spare tire.
The Drug Enforcement Administration assisted in the investigation. DEA special agents testified to obtaining and analyzing electronic data that was obtained from Apple Inc. for both Aponte and Correa-Perez. The electronic data contained photographs consistent with the drug trade. Special agents also provided expert testimony, including that the cocaine had a value of approximately $390,000.
In addition, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Forensic Services Bureau assisted in the analysis of both the cocaine and fingerprints that were obtained from the cocaine packaging.
This case was investigated by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
