BOSTON – In a devastating blow to the opioid epidemic plaguing the nation, two men have pleaded guilty to their roles in an interstate opioid trafficking conspiracy involving the distribution of fentanyl, heroin, and oxycodone across Massachusetts and Florida.
Johnny Urena, 30, of Lawrence, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty yesterday to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl, one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute oxycodone, and one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments.
Jenssi Astacio, 32, of Sunny Isles Beach, Florida, pleaded guilty today to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute oxycodone and one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments. U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper scheduled their sentencings for July 24, 2018, and July 31, 2018, respectively.
Urena and Astacio were arrested along with seven others in March 2017 for their roles in a widespread conspiracy involving opioid trafficking and money laundering offenses in Massachusetts and Florida. Their arrests were the result of a three-year federal investigation into opioid-trafficking in New England.
From at least 2014, Urena conspired with co-defendants to sell quantities of heroin and/or fentanyl in Massachusetts, and to receive, transport, and distribute large quantities of oxycodone pills shipped from Florida to Massachusetts. Urena then deposited the cash proceeds of drug sales into various funnel bank accounts in order to conceal the nature and ownership of the funds. Astacio shipped – and directed other co-conspirators to ship – large quantities of oxycodone pills from Florida to Massachusetts, negotiated with other co-conspirators the sale of oxycodone pills for redistribution, and directed co-conspirators to use bank accounts to launder the cash proceeds of their illicit sale of drugs.
Co-defendants Darren Infante, Juan Reyes, George Noukas, Moses Rodriguez, Craig Drummond, and Gorky Gonzalez have pleaded guilty. Infante is scheduled to be sentenced on May 23; Reyes’ sentencing is scheduled for June 20; Noukas and Rodriguez are scheduled to be sentenced on June 25; and Drummond and Gonzalez are scheduled to be sentenced on July 17.
The charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl provide for a sentence of no greater than 40 years in prison, a lifetime of supervised release, a fine of $5 million, and forfeiture. The charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute oxycodone provide for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, a lifetime of supervised release, a fine of up to $1 million, and forfeiture. The charge of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, up to five years of supervised release, a fine of up to $500,000, or twice the value of the property laundered, and forfeiture.
Related Federal Cases
- Michael Gordon, Marijuana Trafficking, Massachusetts 2018 · Florida
- Mindy Doherty, Methamphetamine Trafficking, Massachusetts 2019 · California
- Edmund Kemprud, Opioid Pill Mill Operation, California 2023 · Florida
- Rupert De Las Casas, Cocaine Trafficking, Florida 2024 · Iowa
- Martinez Lands in Hot Water for Drug Trafficking · California
Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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