BOSTON – A Southbridge man pleaded guilty yesterday to his role in a cocaine trafficking conspiracy, including possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possessing a machine gun.

Miguel Lopez, 28, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine; one count of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances; and one count of unlawful possession of a machine gun.

U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman scheduled sentencing for March 11, 2026. Lopez was indicted by a federal grand jury in November 2024.

From in or about April 2023 through in or about April 2024, Lopez conspired with others to distribute cocaine shipped from Puerto Rico to Massachusetts. On at least four different occasions during that period, Lopez was observed collecting packages suspected of containing controlled substances.

On or about Jan. 29, 2024, a package addressed to Lopez was seized and found one kilogram of cocaine hidden inside. During an April 2024 search of Lopez’s residence, approximately two kilograms of cocaine was found hidden inside a package that had been delivered earlier that day. A Glock pistol with a machinegun conversion device attached to the back along with ammunition, a 30-round magazine and a 50-round drum magazine were also found at Lopez’s residence.

The charge of conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. The charge of possession with the intent to distribute cocaine provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. The unlawful possession of a machinegun provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.

Related Federal Cases

Miguel Lopez, Cocaine Trafficking and Machinegun Possession, Massachusetts 2024 · Puerto Rico
Carlos Hernandez, Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Heroin, Cocaine, and Fentanyl, Massachusetts 2017 · New Hampshire
Victor Alejandro-Carrillo, Cocaine Distribution Conspiracy, Massachusetts 2021 · New Hampshire
Victor Alejandro-Carrillo, Cocaine Conspiracy, Massachusetts 2021 · Puerto Rico
Jason Walker, Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Cocaine Base, Connecticut 2018 · Puerto Rico