Press Release
Harwich Man Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl Conspiracy
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Massachusetts
BOSTON – A Harwich man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to fentanyl conspiracy.
Dean Viprino, 45, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock scheduled sentencing for March 20, 2018.
Viprino was a customer of Alex Fraga, one of four people arrested as part of a drug ring that shipped large quantities of fentanyl, cocaine and heroin from Boston to Cape Cod, where it was then redistributed. In mid-August 2017, Alex Fraga and his brother Kevin Fraga were arrested by federal investigators after large quantities of fentanyl, heroin and cocaine were seized from them. Wiretap interceptions and surveillance indicated that Viprino had been purchasing fentanyl from Alex Fraga for personal use and distribution.
The charge provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 40 years in prison, a minimum of four years and up to a lifetime 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.
Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb and Michael J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Rosen of Weinreb’s Criminal Division is prosecuting the case.
Updated December 20, 2017
Topics
Drug Trafficking
Opioids
Component