Agawam Man Pleads Guilty To Cocaine Conspiracy

BOSTON - An Agawam man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to his role in a cocaine conspiracy. 

Lawon Baulkman, 37, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin scheduled sentencing for Sept. 16, 2019. 

Baulkman conspired with co-defendant David Cruz and others to process and distribute cocaine. According to court documents, Cruz obtained the cocaine from sources in Mexico and arranged for the cocaine to be transported to the Springfield area via concealed compartments in a Nissan Juke. Cruz has pleaded guilty to cocaine and firearms offenses and is awaiting sentencing in federal court in Worcester. 

Baulkman faces at least five years and no more than 40 years in prison, a minimum of four years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $5 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. 

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division, made the announcement today.  Valuable assistance was provided by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation’s in Boston and the Westfield Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katharine A. Wagner of Lelling’s Springfield Office and Evan J. Gotlob of Lelling’s Boston Office are prosecuting the case.