Convicted Felon Pleads Guilty to Possession With Intent to Distribute Kilogram of Cocaine

BOSTON – A Clinton man previously convicted in federal court of cocaine conspiracy pleaded guilty today to cocaine offenses.  

Emmanuelli Rojas-Moraza, 40, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and one count of use of a communications facility in connection with a narcotics offense. U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman scheduled sentencing for Sept. 14, 2021. Rojas-Moraza was indicted in March 2020.

In January 2020, agents seized approximately one kilogram of cocaine inside a package sent from Puerto Rico and addressed to Rojas-Moraza’s residence in Clinton. After picking up the package from the local post office, Rojas-Moraza was arrested and taken into federal custody. During a search of Rojas-Moraza’s residence following his arrest, agents recovered drug packaging tools and materials.

Because Rojas-Moraza has a prior drug conviction, the charge of possession with intent distribute 500 grams of cocaine provides for a sentence of up to 40 years in prison, four years of supervised release and a fine of $5 million. The charge of use of a communications facility provides for a sentence of eight years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Joshua McCallister, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; and Clinton Police Chief Mark R. Laverdure made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Mulcahy of Mendell’s Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.