Holyoke Men Charged with Crack Cocaine and Heroin Offenses

BOSTON – Three Holyoke men have been taken into custody and charged with distributing crack cocaine and heroin in a major bust that has left the community reeling.

Pedro Colon Amadeo, 35, and Jean Carlos Rivera, 29, were charged in separate indictments with distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, also known as crack cocaine. Anthony Rivera, 35, was charged in a third indictment with distribution and possession with intent to distribute heroin.

The indictments, which were unsealed today, allege that each defendant distributed the drugs in Holyoke between November 2017 and January 2018. The investigation was a seven-month-long operation into cocaine and heroin trafficking in Holyoke by members of La Familia gang.

The charges carry significant penalties, with Colon-Amadeo facing up to 40 years in prison, a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1 million. Anthony Rivera faces up to 30 years in prison, a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $2 million. Jean Carlos Rivera faces up to 20 years in prison, a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1 million.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the investigation was a collaborative effort between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Massachusetts State Police, and the Holyoke Police Department.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling made the announcement today, along with Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston Field Division, Colonel Kerry A. Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police, and Holyoke Police Chief James M. Neiswanger.

The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd E. Newhouse of Lelling’s Springfield Office is prosecuting the cases.