U.S. Department
of Justice
Lawrence Man Pleads Guilty to Cocaine Conspiracy
BOSTON – A Lawrence man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to his role in a cocaine conspiracy.
Juan Ulfany Mateo Soto, 38, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and one count of conspiracy to attempt to possess with intent to distribute cocaine. In December 2016, Mateo Soto was arrested and charged along with five co-defendants. U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns scheduled sentencing for Jan. 31, 2018.
On Oct. 27, 2016, Mateo Soto arranged to obtain six kilograms of cocaine from another defendant. Officers observed the transaction, and subsequently stopped Mateo Soto as he drove away. Mateo Soto did not have a valid driver’s license, so officers towed the vehicle. After the vehicle was towed, Mateo Soto and other defendants attempted to retrieve the drugs from the car, first as it was being towed, and later at the tow yard.
Mateo Soto is the third defendant to plead guilty. Angel Torres Leon pleaded guilty in June and is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 9, 2017. Angel Figueras pleaded guilty in July 2017 and is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 8, 2017.
Each of the conspiracy and attempt charges provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, a minimum of three years and a maximum of lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 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 Weinreb; Michael Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Boston Field Division; and Matthew J. Etre, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan Winkler of Weinreb’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
