SCRANTON, Pennsylvania – A California resident has been handed a significant sentence for his role in transporting a massive amount of heroin from California to Pennsylvania.
Francisco Martinez-Rubio, age 36, a citizen of Mexico, pleaded guilty on September 8, 2015 to possession with intent to distribute more than one kilogram of heroin. Martinez-Rubio was subsequently sentenced by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Richard P. Conaboy on December 15, 2015 to 12 ½ years in prison.
Martinez-Rubio admitted to recruiting other drug couriers and directing them in transporting the heroin across the country during late June to early July 2014. He and three others transported a total of 23 kilograms of heroin, which is equivalent to approximately 760,000 retail bags of heroin.
The Third Circuit Court of Appeals has affirmed the sentence, ruling that Judge Conaboy was correct in categorizing Martinez-Rubio as an organizer of criminal activity. The court further held that the 12 ½-year prison sentence was reasonable given the seriousness of the offense and the need to deter others from engaging in similar conduct.
The case was brought as part of a district-wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin-related offenses.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Francis P. Sempa prosecuted the case and handled the appeal.
Related Federal Cases
- Francisco Martinez-Rubio, Heroin Trafficking, California 2014 · Pennsylvania
- Kelvin Martinez, Distributing Heroin, Pennsylvania 2012 · California
- Jonathan Martinez and Christopher Martinez, Cocaine and Methamphetamine Trafficking, Pennsylvania 2025 · Kansas
- Saul Carrasco, Heroin Trafficking, Pennsylvania 2020 · Washington
- Moorer Danielle, Heroin Trafficking, Pennsylvania 2021 · Oregon
Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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