Southbridge Man Sentenced for Distributing Oxycodone

BOSTON – A Southbridge man was sentenced today in federal court in Worcester for dealing prescription opioids.

Hector Espola, 30, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman to four years in prison and three years of supervised release. In June 2017, Espola pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute oxycodone.

On two occasions in July and August 2016, Espola sold 300 oxycodone pills to an individual cooperating with investigators. Espola was arrested on Feb. 17, 2017, in Massachusetts on a federal arrest warrant as he returned from New York City. Upon his arrest, agents found Espola in possession of another 300 oxycodone pills. 

Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb; Michael Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Southbridge Police Chief Shane Woodson made the announcement today.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg A. Friedholm of Weinreb’s Worcester Branch Office prosecuted the case.