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Eddie Cotto Convicted in Manhattan Narcotics Offenses
A Manhattan jury delivered a guilty verdict against Eddie Cotto, a 61-year-old New York man also known as ‘Eddie Diamond,’ in a high-profile narcotics case. Cotto was convicted of one count of narcotics conspiracy and four counts of narcotics distribution.
According to prosecutors, Cotto led a drug trafficking organization that operated in New York and controlled the sale of heroin, cocaine, and fentanyl in and around a New York City Housing Authority building at 1760 Lexington Avenue. The organization used the building’s locked janitorial closets to store narcotics and Cotto coordinated the supply and distribution to his co-defendants.
Cotto, who acted as the gatekeeper of the building from a Winnebago parked in the vicinity, directed his co-defendants via walkie-talkie to serve customers. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a maximum of 120 years in prison.
Cotto’s conviction is the latest in a series of sentences handed down in the case. Sammy McCoy, 64, was sentenced to 98 months in prison, Ervin Ortiz, 62, received 66 months, and JJIMMY RIVAS, 28, was sentenced to 24 months.
U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss praised the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New York City Police Department, which helped bring Cotto to justice. Strauss said Cotto’s actions disrupted the lives of New Yorkers and his conviction sends a strong message about the consequences of narcotics offenses.
Cotto is scheduled to appear for sentencing before U.S. District Judge Jed S. Rakoff on November 3, 2021. The prosecution was handled by the Office’s Narcotics Unit, with Assistant United States Attorneys Timothy V. Capozzi, Rebecca T. Dell, Aline R. Flodr, and Emily A. Johnson leading the case.
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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