United States Attorney John P. Kacavas today announced that Francisco Burgado, of Manchester, New Hampshire, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Paul J. Barbadoro to a 98 month term of imprisonment followed by a 4 year period of supervised release for his involvement in an attempted robbery of a drug dealer.

The prosecution of Burgado was initiated in July 2008, when members of the Manchester, New Hampshire, Police Department, and members of Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Gang Task Force received information from a confidential informant(“C I”) which revealed that Burgado committed an armed robbery in June, 2008, of an individual who distributed psilocybin (“mushrooms”). The information also established that during the robbery, Burgado forcefully obtained one pound of psilocybin and planned to distribute it.
After receiving the information from the CI, law enforcement utilized it in order to engage in 3 controlled purchases of psilocybin from Burgado. During one of the purchases, the CI, while acting under the control of law enforcement, proposed a staged drug robbery to Burgado, advising him that it knew of a cocaine source of supply named “Mark” who had possession of 5 ounces of cocaine and five 5 ounces of cocaine base (“crack”). As soon as the CI suggested the robbery of “Mark” to Burgado, he immediately agreed and engaged in numerous conversations with the CI involving the planning of the robbery.

On July 31, 2008, the CI, while equipped with a body-wire and while being surveilled by law enforcement, met with Burgado and Gretchen Delvalle, Burgado’s cousin. The CI informed Burgado that “Mark” was located at the Econolodge, located in Manchester, and had possession of 5 ounces of cocaine and 5 ounces of cocaine base (“crack”). Burgado indicated that the group would travel to the Econolodge where they would forcibly take the cocaine from “Mark.” Burgado stated that he and Delvalle would each have a firearm, provided by Burgado, and that Delvalle would initially tell “Mark” that she had $10,000.00 in United States currency in exchange for the cocaine.

The CI, Burgado and Delvalle then traveled to the Econolodge. Upon arriving at the parking lot, where law enforcement were waiting, the motor vehicle was surrounded and Burgado and Delvalle were arrested. Seized from the vehicle were 2 firearms, a Raven Arms MP-25 handgun and a loaded FEG AP-MPB handgun. A search was conducted of Burgado’s residence. Law enforcement seized six plastic bags of psilocybin, a box of .380 caliber ammunition and a digital scale.

Following his arrest, Burgado was charged with engaging in a conspiracy to interfere with commerce through the commission of a robbery, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1951, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(C).

United States Attorney Kacavas applauded the joint efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Manchester Police Department, stating, “This office, working in conjunction with federal and state law enforcement, is dedicated to ensuring that dangerous individuals, such as Francisco Burgado, who have a history of committing crimes of violence, will sacrifice their liberty for engaging in such conduct. The sentence imposed by the Court for these offenses should act as a warning to those who contemplate the use of firearms in support of violence.”

The case was investigated by the Manchester, New Hampshire, Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Terry L. Ollila.

 

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