ROCHESTER, NY – Jancarlos Gonzalez-Rivera, 37, a kingpin in Rochester’s brutal drug trade, is headed to federal prison for 210 months – more than 17 years – after being convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and distribute, 400 grams or more of fentanyl. The sentence, handed down by Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford, marks a significant, though likely temporary, disruption to a long-standing narcotics ring that poisoned the streets of the Flower City.
Gonzalez-Rivera, known on the streets as “Los,” wasn’t just a street-level dealer. Prosecutors detailed a sophisticated operation running from May 2018 to April 30, 2020, where he acted as the central hub, coordinating fentanyl deliveries from suppliers, securing stash houses, and overseeing the processing and distribution of the deadly drug. The operation wasn’t limited to simply moving product; Gonzalez-Rivera was also responsible for laundering the massive profits generated from pushing fentanyl onto vulnerable addicts.
The feds hit Gonzalez-Rivera hard. On April 30, 2020, a coordinated raid swept through multiple locations, including a key stash house on Branch Street. Investigators seized a staggering 982 grams of fentanyl and 67 grams of heroin. But the haul didn’t stop there. Three handguns, along with approximately $225,000 in cold, hard cash, were also recovered. A search of Gonzalez-Rivera’s residence uncovered an additional $9,800 and a glittering collection of jewelry, including two Rolex watches valued at a combined $90,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Everardo A. Rodriguez, who led the prosecution, successfully argued that Gonzalez-Rivera wasn’t just a participant, but the architect of the conspiracy. He managed the flow of drugs and money, profiting handsomely from the misery of others. The forfeiture order demands Gonzalez-Rivera surrender the three firearms, the $225,000 in cash, and the lavish jewelry – a small dent in the wealth accumulated through peddling death.
The takedown was a multi-agency effort. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Rochester Police Department, New York State Police, Greece Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), U.S. Marshal Service, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Ontario County Sheriff’s Office, and New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision all contributed to the investigation. The DEA’s New York Field Division, under Special Agent-in-Charge Frank A. Tarentino III, spearheaded the operation, with additional support from the DEA’s Buffalo and Syracuse offices.
While Gonzalez-Rivera’s conviction is a win for law enforcement, it’s a temporary fix to a much larger problem. The demand for fentanyl remains high, and other predators will inevitably attempt to fill the void left by “Los.” The Grimy Times will continue to track the ongoing war against narcotics and expose the individuals profiting from the destruction of our communities. The streets of Rochester, for now, are slightly less dangerous – but the fight is far from over.
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Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime|Weapons
- Source: Official Press Release
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