BOSTON – The grim tale of a Dominican national’s role in the distribution of fentanyl has come to a close as Angel Rivera-Valle, also known as Jose Antonio Serrano, was sentenced today. The 31-year-old Lawrence resident faced U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns and received a 64-month prison term followed by four years of supervised release.
In April 2020, Rivera-Valle pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, as well as two additional counts of distribution and possession. His sentence was part of the extensive “Devil’s Highway” operation, which targeted opioid distribution in Massachusetts’ Merrimack Valley.
Rivera-Valle’s arrest came alongside co-defendant Andi Guerrero-Lara, also known as “Manny Sierra,” who remains under indictment. Together, they were accused of being part of a drug trafficking organization that frequently sold large amounts of fentanyl between September and October 2019.
The DEA-led operation resulted in charges against a total of 40 individuals for federal drug offenses. Rivera-Valle’s sentence is set to conclude with deportation proceedings.
United States Attorney Andrew Lelling and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division, announced the sentencing today. The investigation was assisted by local law enforcement, including the Massachusetts State Police and Andover Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alathea E. Porter is handling the prosecution.
As with all criminal cases, the details contained in the indictment are allegations, and Rivera-Valle is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
RELATED: Grandparent Scam: $5M Laundered, DR National Jailed
RELATED: NY AG Exposes Top 10 Scams of ’25, Retail Tops List
Related Federal Cases
- Cambridge Man Jailed for $40K Diary Fraud · Massachusetts
- Worcester Three Guilty in Crack Cocaine Ring · Massachusetts
- Cromwell in the Dock for Major Drug Ring · Massachusetts
- Massachusetts Heroin Trafficking Ring Dismantled · Massachusetts
- Methuen Man Pena Admits Heroin, Fentanyl Trafficking & Gun Charge · Massachusetts
Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Sex Crimes|Cybercrime|Public Corruption|Weapons|Human Trafficking|White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News