Dominican National Pleads Guilty To Cocaine Distribution, Illegal Reentry

BOSTON – A Dominican national has pleaded guilty to distributing cocaine and illegally reentering the United States. Herminio Polanco-Huma, 26, was found to be in possession of the illicit substance, which led to his conviction in Essex Superior Court on distribution of cocaine charges.

Polanco-Huma was initially encountered by federal law enforcement in Florida in February 2017. He was subsequently deported to the Dominican Republic on February 21, 2017, after being placed in removal proceedings. However, he returned to the United States and was arrested in November 2017, awaiting trial at the Essex County House of Corrections. His prints were matched to those in his Alien File, leading to his illegal reentry charges.

Polanco-Huma was convicted of distribution of cocaine in Essex Superior Court and sentenced to three years and one day in prison. He now faces additional charges of illegal reentry of a deported alien. United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Rebecca J. Adducci, Interim Field Office Director, Boston, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations, made the announcement today.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case. Polanco-Huma faces a sentence of no greater than two years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of $250,000, and will be subject to deportation upon completion of his sentence. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Polanco-Huma is scheduled to be sentenced on September 20, 2018, by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel Gorton. This case is a prime example of the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat drug trafficking and illegal immigration in the United States.

The guilty plea and subsequent sentencing are a reminder that those who engage in illicit activities will be held accountable for their actions. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work tirelessly to bring those responsible for these crimes to justice.

In a statement, U.S. Attorney Andrew E. Lelling emphasized the importance of this case, saying, ‘This case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat drug trafficking and illegal immigration in our communities.’

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