Colombian Nationals Sentenced for Conspiring to Distribute Cocaine

BOSTON – Two Colombian nationals were sentenced today in federal court in Boston for conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

Fredi Catano, a/k/a “Leonardo Favio Gonzalez-Patino,” 35, a Colombian national previously residing in Revere, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to five years in prison and four years of supervised release. Catano previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, and one count each of distribution of 500 grams or more of cocaine and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.

Wilson Acevedo, a/k/a “Edwin Morales Lozada,” 43, a Colombian national previously residing in East Boston, was sentenced by Judge Saylor to 30 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Acevedo previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and one count of distribution of 500 grams or more of cocaine.

Both defendants will be deported upon completion of their sentences.

Between November 2017 and May 2019, Catano and Acevedo conspired to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. During that period, Catano supplied Acevedo with approximately one ounce of cocaine on multiple occasions, which Acevedo subsequently sold to a cooperating witness. On May 2, 2019, in a drug deal arranged by Acevedo, Catano sold 500 grams of cocaine to the same cooperating witness. Catano and Acevedo were arrested immediately thereafter. A search of Catano’s Revere residence resulted in the seizure of an additional half-kilogram of cocaine, drug distribution paraphernalia and approximately $13,000 in U.S. currency.

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. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Ferguson of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.