ERIE, Pa. – The grimy streets of Erie were hit with a heavy blow as Nathanael Ortiz Andino, 30, received a 12-month federal prison sentence followed by three years of supervised release for his role in a relentless cocaine conspiracy.
The court, presided over by United States District Judge David S. Cercone, heard chilling details of Andino’s involvement from June 2013 to February 2015. He was charged with conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute large quantities of cocaine, much of which he sourced from a vast network that transported the drug from Mexico into Texas and then onwards to Erie.
According to the court documents, Andino’s part in this sinister syndicate involved distributing multiple ounces of cocaine right here in Erie. The illegal substance was cunningly concealed in vehicles’ hidden compartments, an attempt to evade law enforcement scrutiny.
The Assistant United States Attorney Marshall J. Piccinini led the charge against Andino, ensuring that the government’s case was robust and the justice served was swift.
Acting U.S. Attorney Soo C. Song praised the numerous agencies involved in the investigation, commending Homeland Security Investigations, DEA, Pennsylvania State Police, US Border Patrol, IRS Criminal Investigation, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General Organized Crime Section, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Marshals Service, and ATF for their relentless pursuit and successful prosecution of Andino.
This sentence is a stark reminder of the harsh consequences faced by those who choose to traffic drugs in our communities. Andino’s fate serves as a warning against the dangerous game of drug trafficking that plagues Erie and beyond.
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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