Revere Man Indicted for Drug and Firearm Possession

BOSTON – A Revere man was indicted today in connection with trafficking cocaine base (crack cocaine) and fentanyl as well as using a firearm in furtherance of the crime.

Cesar Rivera, 22, was indicted on one count of possession with intent to distribute 28 grams of cocaine base and fentanyl and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Rivera has been in federal custody since July 2021.

According to the charging documents, in December 2020, Rivera was wanted on outstanding warrants on multiple state gun cases for which he had failed to respond court summons or to appear in court for over a year. On Dec. 22, 2020, law enforcement located Rivera at a carwash in Malden and he was subsequently arrested. At the time of his arrest, it is alleged that Rivera was carrying over 28 grams of crack cocaine, fentanyl and a firearm.

The charge of possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base and fentanyl provides for a sentence of at least five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $5 million. The charge of possession of firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime provides for a sentence of at least five years and up to life in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. 

First Assistant United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Malden Police Chief Kevin Molis made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police; the Middlesex County and Suffolk County District Attorney’s Offices; and the Boston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime and Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.