News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 23, 2002

Connecticut Man Sentenced For Selling Ecstasy

Springfield, MA… A Connecticut man was sentenced late yesterday in federal court for distributing ecstasy.

Mark R. Trouville, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division, and United States Attorney Michael J. Sullivan. announced today that JOSEPH DIDONATO, age 20, of Wolcott, Connecticut, was sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge Frank H. Freedman to 3 years and 1 month imprisonment, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, and a $7,500 fine. DIDONATO pleaded guilty on June 25, 2002 to two counts of distributing ecstasy.

At the plea hearing, the prosecutor told the Court that had the case proceeded to trial the government's evidence would have proven that on August 30, September 14, and September 24, 2001, DIDONATO sold a total of 1,750 ecstasy pills to a cooperating witness.

The Springfield DEA Task Force investigated the case. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd E. Newhouse.

Please direct any inquire to Special Agent Anthony J. Pettigrew, Public Information Officer, New England Field Division at 617-557-2138