Harrisburg Man Pleads Guilty To Distribution And Possession Of Cocaine And Heroin

HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Nicholas Rivera, age 41, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty today to felony drug trafficking before United States District Court Chief Judge Christopher C. Conner in Harrisburg. Rivera pled guilty to a superseding information that charged him with distribution and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the charges against Rivera were a result of Rivera selling cocaine and heroin to an undercover officer in Harrisburg on five occasions beginning in March 2014 through May 2014.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Pennsylvania State Police and the Dauphin County Drug Task Force.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Meredith A. Taylor. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

The maximum penalty under federal law is 20 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $1,000,000 fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.

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