A major cocaine bust in international waters has led to the guilty plea of two Dominican nationals in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Dennito Montero-Felix, 48, and Fernandito Michel-Gomez, 56, both of the Dominican Republic, pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Possess Cocaine with Intent to Distribute While on Board a Vessel Subject to the Jurisdiction of the United States.
The crime occurred on April 12, 2023, when a maritime patrol aircraft located a go-fast vessel in international waters approximately 71 nautical miles south of the Dominican Republic. The vessel, which had three occupants onboard and was equipped with two outboard engines, excessive fuel barrels, and large packages visible on deck, was intercepted by a U.S. Coast Guard Cutter. The occupants were taken into custody, and on board the vessel, Coast Guard Officers discovered approximately 619 kilograms of cocaine.
Montero-Felix and Michel-Gomez pleaded guilty before Magistrate Judge Emile A. Henderson, III. Michel-Gomez is scheduled for sentencing on December 14, 2023, while Montero-Felix is scheduled for sentencing on December 20, 2023. Each faces a maximum term of incarceration of up to 20 years.
The case was investigated by the United States Coast Guard, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant United States Attorney Daniel H. Huston prosecuted the case, which is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation.
OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The Virgin Islands U.S. Attorney’s Office has been actively pursuing cases involving international drug trafficking in recent years, with a focus on disrupting the flow of illicit substances into the territory.
In related news, the U.S. Coast Guard has increased its presence in the Caribbean to combat the surge in international drug trafficking. The Coast Guard has been working closely with other law enforcement agencies to disrupt and dismantle major drug trafficking organizations.
Mandatory facts include:
- Defendant/respondent name: Dennito Montero-Felix and Fernandito Michel-Gomez
- Criminal charges: Conspiracy to Possess Cocaine with Intent to Distribute While on Board a Vessel Subject to the Jurisdiction of the United States
- City and state: St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
- Exact date: April 12, 2023
- Sentence or outcome: Up to 20 years in prison
Related Federal Cases
- Carlos Gascot Concepcion, Cocaine Trafficking, United States Virgin Islands 2023 · Puerto Rico
- Keith Gaines, Cocaine Possession with Intent to Distribute, GA 2018 · Georgia
- Shenita Denise Peterson, Cocaine Possession with Intent to Distribu… · Louisiana
- Elijah Hakim, Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl, United States Virgin Islands 2021 · Puerto Rico
- TINA MARIE ZAHR, Possession With Intent To Distribute Cocaine, Oklahoma 2017 · Oklahoma
Key Facts
- State: Virgin Islands
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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