Angel Rivera-Valle, Fentanyl Conspiracy, Massachusetts 2020

Fentanyl Kingpin Sentenced to Face Deportation

BOSTON, MA - In a shocking turn of events, Angel Rivera-Valle, a 31-year-old Dominican national, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, two counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, and one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

According to court documents, Rivera-Valle was a key player in a drug trafficking organization that regularly sold large quantities of fentanyl in the Merrimack Valley area of Massachusetts.

Between September and October 2019, an undercover federal agent purchased fentanyl from Rivera-Valle on six separate dates.

This case is part of a coordinated enforcement operation in the Merrimack Valley called "Devil's Highway". The operation targeted the distribution of opioids, including fentanyl and heroin, and resulted in charges against a total of 40 people for federal drug offenses.

Rivera-Valle has been in custody since his arrest in October 2019 and will face deportation proceedings upon completion of his sentence.

U.S. Senior District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns scheduled sentencing for August 24, 2020.

The charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and distribution and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl both carry a minimum mandatory sentence of five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $5 million. The charge of distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1 million.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/dominican-national-pleads-guilty-fentanyl-conspiracy