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Heroin Trafficker Pleads Guilty
BOSTON – Angel Martinez-Peguero, a 28-year-old Dominican national, pleaded guilty to heroin trafficking charges in federal court in Boston.
According to prosecutors, Martinez-Peguero was involved in a conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin. He was also found guilty of possession with intent to distribute the same amount of heroin and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
The investigation into Martinez-Peguero’s activities began in December 2018, when law enforcement officials seized nearly one kilogram of heroin and a loaded semi-automatic pistol from his waistband during a search of his residence in Lawrence.
Agents also discovered over $15,000 in cash and $17,000 worth of jewelry during the search. Martinez-Peguero’s brother, Alexander Martinez-Peguero, 39, was charged alongside him and previously pleaded guilty.
Martinez-Peguero faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, up to 40 years, at least four years of supervised release, and a fine of $5 million for the heroin charges. He also faces a consecutive five-year sentence for the firearm charge.
U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling, along with officials from the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Massachusetts State Police, announced the guilty plea. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip C. Cheng is prosecuting the case, which is scheduled for sentencing on January 14, 2021.
The charges carry significant penalties, and Martinez-Peguero’s sentencing will be determined by U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Martinez-Peguero’s guilty plea is a significant blow to those involved in the heroin trafficking trade, and it serves as a reminder of the severe consequences of engaging in such activities.
The case highlights the importance of law enforcement’s efforts to combat heroin trafficking and the devastating impact it has on communities.
Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Sex Crimes|Cybercrime|Public Corruption|Weapons|Human Trafficking|White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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