Erotides Mendez, Fentanyl and Heroin Conspiracy, Massachusetts 2020

A Dominican national has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for his role in a fentanyl and heroin conspiracy in Massachusetts.

Erotides Mendez, 50, a Dominican national previously residing in New York City, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Timothy J. Hillman to five years in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release. Mendez will be deported upon completion of his sentence.

Mendez pleaded guilty in November 2019 to one count of conspiring to distribute heroin and more than 40 grams of fentanyl, one count of distributing heroin and more than 40 grams of fentanyl, and one count of possessing heroin and more than 40 grams of fentanyl with intent to distribute.

The investigation into Mendez's activities began in December 2018, when law enforcement intercepted communications between Mendez and his co-defendant, Albeiro Gomez, which evidenced their drug trafficking activities.

In November 2018, law enforcement stopped a passenger van headed from New York City to Worcester, and observed Mendez – a passenger in the van – throw a bag containing approximately 150 grams of heroin from the van.

In addition to Mendez's sentence, two other individuals have been charged and sentenced in connection with this investigation. Freiber Betancourth, of Worcester, pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges and was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison. Betancourth distributed heroin and fentanyl from the parking lot of his employer. Jonathan Bobadilla Rosa pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and identity theft charges and is scheduled to be sentenced on April 23, 2020.

The investigation was conducted by the Massachusetts State Police and the U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service, Boston Field Office, with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bill Abely and John Mulcahy are prosecuting the case.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/dominican-national-sentenced-five-years-federal-prison-fentanyl-and-heroin-conspiracy-and