Springfield Man Sentenced For Drug Conspiracy

BOSTON – A Springfield man was sentenced yesterday in U.S. District Court in Springfield for dealing heroin.

Ariel Acevedo, 36, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Michael A. Ponsor to nine years in prison, followed by four years of supervised release. In April 2013, Acevedo pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute heroin and possession with intent to distribute heroin.

On Feb. 18 and 19, 2012, Acevedo arranged for the sale of approximately 150 grams of heroin to another individual. During numerous conversations, which were consensually monitored and recorded by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Acevedo discussed quantities, pricing, and quality of the heroin. On Feb. 19, 2012, Acevedo met the individual on Chestnut Street in Springfield, and a few minutes later, Acevedo’s co-defendant, Jose Cruz arrived. Cruz provided the individual with a package containing 150 grams of heroin, and the individual provided Acevedo with $11,250 in cash, which Acevedo began to count. The DEA then arrested both Acevedo and Cruz. In June 2013, Judge Ponsor sentenced Cruz to five years in prison for his role in the offenses.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; John J. Arvanitis, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Boston Field Division; Mark Mastroianni, Hampden County District Attorney; and Commissioner William Fitchett of the Springfield Police Department, made the announcement today. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven H. Breslow of Ortiz’s Springfield Branch Office.