Ernesto Rodriguez, Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl, Massachusetts 2020

A Lawrence man is behind bars for his role in a 2017 fentanyl trafficking conspiracy that spanned across multiple defendants.

Ernesto Rodriguez, 49, was sentenced to 20 months in prison and three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiring to distribute in excess of 40 grams of fentanyl.

The charges against Rodriguez stem from a 2017 investigation that involved wiretaps capturing the defendants' discussions of sales and purchases of fentanyl. On Dec. 20, 2017, law enforcement agents stopped a co-defendant's vehicle and recovered just under 50 grams of fentanyl, which was later turned over to authorities by Rodriguez.

The fentanyl trafficking operation was a multi-defendant case, with co-defendants Jorge Burgos and Joshua Sanchez (also known as Manuel Peguero) previously sentenced to 60 months and 34 months in prison, respectively. Another co-defendant, Carlos Rodriguez, is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 9, 2019.

Law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation include the Drug Enforcement Administration, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Massachusetts State Police, the Worcester Police Department, and the Leicester Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Grady prosecuted the case, which was announced by U.S. Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and other law enforcement officials.

Ernesto Rodriguez's case is a reminder of the ongoing struggle against fentanyl trafficking in Massachusetts and the consequences that come with it. With the opioid epidemic still a pressing issue, authorities are working tirelessly to disrupt and dismantle these operations.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/lawrence-man-sentenced-prison-conspiracy-distribute-fentanyl