A Springfield resident, Pedro Deleon, has been indicted in federal court for possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute and related firearms offenses. The indictment was filed in Springfield.
Deleon, aged 32, faces charges of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug distribution. The charges stem from an incident on October 22, 2024.
According to the indictment, Deleon had previously been convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year in prison.
The potential penalties for these charges are severe. Possession with intent to distribute cocaine carries a possible sentence of up to 20 years in prison, lifetime supervised release, and fines reaching $1 million. Being a felon in possession could result in up to 15 years imprisonment, three years supervised release, and fines up to $250,000. Possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug distribution could lead to life imprisonment, five years supervised release, and fines up to $250,000. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge according to U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and relevant statutes.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley announced the indictment alongside Brian Keys from the United States Marshal Service for the District of Massachusetts and Colonel Geoffrey Nobel from the Massachusetts State Police. Todd E. Newhouse from the Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
It is important to note that all details within the charging documents are allegations at this stage. Deleon is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court.
