A Lowell postal worker has pleaded guilty to attempting to bribe a supervisor and sell them cocaine.
John Noviello, 61, of Nashua, N.H., pleaded guilty to one count of bribery of a public official and one count of distribution of cocaine in federal court in Boston.
The charges stem from a scheme in which Noviello approached a U.S. Postal supervisor seeking their assistance in diverting postal packages suspected of containing cocaine. Noviello offered to pay the supervisor $1,750 per kilogram of cocaine successfully obtained from any diverted packages.
On February 17, 2022, Noviello left $850 in cash, concealed in a Dunkin’ bag, inside the supervisor’s vehicle in an attempt to encourage the supervisor to agree to the scheme.
Noviello, referring to the $850, later commented to the supervisor, ‘that was a nice envelope for starters.’ After contacting authorities, the supervisor conducted a controlled purchase from Noviello during which the defendant distributed approximately 3.7 grams of cocaine for $200.
The charge of bribery of a public official provides for a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of distribution of cocaine provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of $1 million.
U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley scheduled sentencing for February 14, 2023.
Noviello was charged on May 11, 2022, and was a mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service in Lowell.
Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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