Nathanael Ortiz Andino, 30, Sentenced for Conspiracy to Traffic Cocaine in Erie, PA

ERIE, Pa. – In a federal court sentencing, Nathanael Ortiz Andino, 30, of Erie, Pennsylvania, was ordered to serve 12 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release on his conviction of violating federal drug laws, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

United States District Judge David S. Cercone imposed the sentence on Andino Tuesday. According to information presented to the court, from June 2013 through February 2015, Andino engaged in a conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine which he obtained from other co-conspirators.

The court was advised that the cocaine was distributed in Erie as part of a large network transporting cocaine from Mexico into Texas, and from Texas to Erie, Pennsylvania concealed in hidden compartments in vehicles. Andino was responsible for conspiring to distribute multiple ounces of cocaine in the Erie area.

‘This sentence demonstrates our commitment to combating the scourge of narcotics trafficking in our community,’ Acting U.S. Attorney Song said in a statement.

The investigation into Andino’s activities was a collaborative effort between multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Pennsylvania State Police, U.S. Border Patrol, the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation; the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General Organized Crime Section, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives.

Assistant United States Attorney Marshall J. Piccinini prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

Nathanael Ortiz Andino will begin serving his sentence immediately. His conviction serves as a reminder of the consequences of participating in narcotics trafficking and the importance of continued cooperation between law enforcement agencies in combating this issue.

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