A Worcester man was sentenced to five years in prison for distributing nearly one kilogram of cocaine. Julio Rivera, 47, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman to five years in prison and four years of supervised release.
On September 2, 2021, Rivera was convicted by a federal jury of distribution and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. This conviction was the result of a federal investigation into co-conspirator Melvin Burgos.
In October 2018, the investigation intercepted numerous communications between Burgos and co-conspirator William Torres arranging to obtain one kilogram of cocaine from Rivera. On November 1, 2018, Rivera led Burgos to his storage unit in Worcester where he distributed 900 grams of cocaine to Burgos.
Agents subsequently stopped both Rivera and Burgos and a search of Rivera’s vehicle recovered the phone he used to communicate with Torres and Burgos, which he had attempted to destroy. A search of Burgos’ vehicle resulted in the seizure of the 900 grams of cocaine.
Torres and Burgos each pleaded guilty to their role in the conspiracy. On February 26, 2021, Torres was sentenced to five years in prison and four years of supervised release. Burgos is scheduled to be sentenced on January 5, 2022.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys John T. Mulcahy and Mackenzie A. Queenin of Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel Mendell’s Criminal Division prosecuted the case.
The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division, and the Massachusetts State Police.
Related Federal Cases
- Julio Rivera, Cocaine Distribution, MA 2018 · Massachusetts
- Samuel Diaz, Cocaine Distribution, Massachusetts 2015 · Massachusetts
- Lamar Young, Crack Cocaine Distribution, ME 2024 · New Hampshire
- Sharik Mendes, Heroin Distribution, Massachusetts 2024 · Texas
- Luis Jose Mejia Arias, Narcotics Distribution, Massachusetts 2017 · Texas
Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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