Boston Man and Woman Plead Guilty to Roles in Drug Trafficking Conspiracy

BOSTON – A Boston man and woman pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to conspiracy and distribution charges involving fentanyl.

Valentin Pujols, 35, and Katherine Olivares-Soto, a/k/a “Jessy,” 25, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to one count each of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and one count each of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl. Pujols and Olivares-Soto are scheduled to be sentenced on May 18 and May 24, 2022, respectively.

Pujols and Olivares-Soto were indicted in September 2019 along with co-conspirator Maria Yovanny Soto-Diaz-Deperez, a/k/a “Betty.” Soto-Diaz-Deperez remains a fugitive.

Pujols and Olivares-Soto allegedly conspired with Soto-Diaz-Deperez to distribute fentanyl. As stated during the plea hearing, on multiple occasions between December 2018 and February 2019, Soto-Diaz-Deperez agreed to sell quantities of fentanyl to an undercover agent. In December 2018, Pujols and Soto-Diaz-Deperez sold the undercover agent approximately 49 grams of fentanyl. In January 2019, Olivares-Soto, allegedly acting on behalf of Soto-Diaz-Deperez, sold approximately 109 grams of fentanyl and on a third occasion, Soto-Diaz-Deperez allegedly sold approximately 124 grams of fentanyl to the undercover agent. 

The charges of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and distribution of 40 grams or more fentanyl each provide for a sentence of at least five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years of supervised release and a fine of up to $5 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division; Arlington Police Chief Juliann Flaherty; and Somerville Acting Police Chief Charles Femino made the announcement today. Assistance in the investigation was provided by the Boston Housing Authority Police Division and the Arlington Public Housing Authority. Assistant U.S. Attorney James E. Arnold of Rollins’ Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case. 

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.