Valentin Pujols, Fentanyl Trafficking, Massachusetts 2019

BOSTON MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO FENTANYL TRAFFICKING

A Boston man and woman pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to conspiracy and distribution charges involving fentanyl.

Valentin Pujols, 35, and Katherine Olivares-Soto, a/k/a ‘Jessy,’ 25, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to one count each of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and one count each of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl. Pujols and Olivares-Soto are scheduled to be sentenced on May 18 and May 24, 2022, respectively.

The charges of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and distribution of 40 grams or more fentanyl each provide for a sentence of at least five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years of supervised release and a fine of up to $5 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Pujols and Olivares-Soto allegedly conspired with co-conspirator Maria Yovanny Soto-Diaz-Deperez, a/k/a ‘Betty,’ to distribute fentanyl. As stated during the plea hearing, on multiple occasions between December 2018 and February 2019, Soto-Diaz-Deperez agreed to sell quantities of fentanyl to an undercover agent. In December 2018, Pujols and Soto-Diaz-Deperez sold the undercover agent approximately 49 grams of fentanyl. In January 2019, Olivares-Soto, allegedly acting on behalf of Soto-Diaz-Deperez, sold approximately 109 grams of fentanyl and on a third occasion, Soto-Diaz-Deperez allegedly sold approximately 124 grams of fentanyl to the undercover agent.

The investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Boston Housing Authority Police Division, with assistance from the Arlington Public Housing Authority and the Somerville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney James E. Arnold of the U.S. Attorney’s Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Pujols and Olivares-Soto are scheduled to be sentenced on May 18 and May 24, 2022, respectively. They face up to 40 years in prison and a fine of up to $5 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Boston Man Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl Trafficking

Valentin Pujols, 35, and Katherine Olivares-Soto, a/k/a ‘Jessy,’ 25, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and distribution charges involving fentanyl in federal court in Boston.

Pujols and Olivares-Soto face up to 40 years in prison and a fine of up to $5 million.

MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS

Drug Trafficking

Paul Rodriguez, Cocaine Distribution Conspiracy, Pennsylvania 2017

Feb 14, 2017

Drug Trafficking

Daniel Taylor, Possession of Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking, Maryland 2020

May 21, 2021

Drug Trafficking

Jashier Gillespie, Cocaine and Heroin Distribution Conspiracy, Vermont 2024

May 29, 2024

Drug Trafficking

Jarod Richard Melancon, Meth and Firearm Charges, Texas 2021

Mar 2, 2022