Lawrence Man Sentenced to Prison for Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl

BOSTON – A Lawrence man was sentenced today in federal court in Worcester in connection with a 2017 fentanyl trafficking conspiracy. 

Carlos Rodriguez, 43, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman to 27 months in prison and two years of supervised release. Rodriguez previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute in excess of 40 grams of fentanyl.

Co-defendants Ernesto Rodriguez, Jorge Burgos, and Joshua Sanchez were sentenced to 20 months, 60 months, and 34 months in prison, respectively.

As a result of various wiretaps capturing the defendants’ discussions of sales and purchases of fentanyl, in November and December 2017, law enforcement conducted surveillance of Burgos purchasing fentanyl for resale from Carlos Rodriguez, Ernesto Rodriguez, and others. In addition, on Dec. 20, 2017, law enforcement stopped Sanchez after wire intercepts suggested he would be distributing 50 grams of fentanyl to co-defendant Jorge Burgos. Agents conducted a stop of the vehicle Carlos Rodriguez was driving and recovered 50 grams of fentanyl. Further investigation led to the recovery of 40 additional grams of fentanyl from Ernesto Rodriguez. Intercepted communications captured Carlos Rodriguez discussing with Burgos how agents had stopped him on the way to Burgos’ residence and captured him discussing with another individual where to hide a firearm from authorities.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Boston Field Division; Joseph W. Cronin, Inspector in Charge of the United States Postal Inspection Service; Colonel Kerry A. Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Worcester Police Chief Steven M. Sargent; and Leicester Interim Police Chief Kenneth Antanavica made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Grady of Lelling’s Criminal Division prosecuted the case.