Brockton Man Pleads Guilty to Cocaine and Crack Cocaine Trafficking

BOSTON – A Brockton man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to drug trafficking charges.

Luis Rivera, a/k/a “Fat Louie,” 35, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and cocaine base, also known as crack cocaine.  U.S. District Court Chief Judge Patti B. Saris scheduled sentencing for March 21, 2018.

During an investigation into a network of street gangs trafficking illegal firearms and drugs, investigators identified Rivera as a Brockton-based source of supply for cocaine and cocaine base for members and associates of the Boylston Street Gang, as well as numerous other drug dealers in Brockton and other communities.  

From January to April 2016, a cooperating witness purchased significant amounts of both cocaine and crack cocaine from Rivera. Rivera operated his robust drug trafficking business from various residential locations in Brockton, and conspired with numerous other individuals, including Kenneth Burke and Kevin Davis, to distribute drugs.

Burke pleaded guilty on Nov. 15, 2017, and is scheduled to be sentenced on March 21, 2018. Davis pleaded guilty in September 2017, and is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 19, 2017.

Rivera is one of 53 defendants indicted in June 2016 on federal firearms and drug charges following an investigation into a network of street gangs that created alliances to traffic weapons and drugs throughout Massachusetts and to generate violence against rival gang members. According to court documents, the defendants, who are leaders, members, and associates of the 18th Street Gang, East Side Money Gang and the Boylston Street Gang, were responsible for fueling a gun and drug pipeline across a number of cities and towns in eastern Massachusetts.  During the course of the investigation, over 70 firearms were seized.

The charge of conspiracy to distribute cocaine base provides for a sentence of no less than 10 years to life in prison, a minimum of five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of $10 million.  Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb; Mickey D. Leadingham, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; Michael J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; Michael Shea, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; John Gibbons, U.S. Marshal for the District of Massachusetts; Maura Healey, Attorney General of Massachusetts; Colonel Kerry A. Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Boston Police Commissioner William Evans; Chelsea Police Chief Brian Kyes; and Brockton Police Chief John Crowley made the announcement today.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office also acknowledges the assistance of the Suffolk and Middlesex County Sheriff Departments and the Malden, Revere and Everett Police Departments.  Weinreb’s Organized Crime and Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.