Mario Herrera, Cocaine Distribution, New York 2015

Manhattan federal court sees 17 charged with narcotics-related offenses. Mario Herrera, John Miranda, Joel Casado, Cesar Dominguez, Joel Quzada, Jonathan Morales, Oliveros Villareal, Thomas Abreu, Jonathan Golden, Cynthia Urrea, Debra Monche, Ezequil Nin, Andrew Seibert, Carlos Alvarez-Gonzalez, Keith Woodards, Alexander Carno, and Kevin Skeete face up to life in prison.

The 15 arrested in the Southern District of New York this morning will be presented before United States Magistrate Judge Frank Maas later today. One defendant was arrested in the District of Maine.

According to the allegations, between late 2012 and December 2015, Herrera and other defendants conspired to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms and more of cocaine and a quantity of marijuana.

This charge carries a maximum sentence of life in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison. The Indictment also charges that between late 2012 and December 2015, Herrera and other defendants conspired to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute oxycodone, a Schedule II controlled substance.

This charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by a judge.

United States Attorney Preet Bharara praised the outstanding investigative work of the DEA and the ATF, thanking the New York City Police Department, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, and the United States Secret Service for their assistance throughout the investigation.

The prosecution is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gina Castellano, Jordan Estes, and Jason A. Richman are in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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