Taunton Man Sentenced for Heroin and Fentanyl Distribution

BOSTON – A Taunton man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for his role in a heroin and fentanyl trafficking operation in southeastern Massachusetts.

Philip Malaguti, 33, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge George A. O’Toole Jr. to 51 months in prison and three years of supervised release. In March 2017, Malaguti pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute heroin and fentanyl.

After a 15-month investigation, Malaguti and 24 others were arrested and charged in October 2015 in connection with a heroin trafficking ring led by Dedwin Cruz-Rivera operating primarily in southeastern Massachusetts. An April 2016 superseding indictment brought the total number of defendants charged to 26.

Malaguti purchased heroin from co-defendant Will Rodriguez for personal use, and at times, Malaguti shared the heroin he purchased with other users.

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. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas E. Kanwit and Karen Beausey of Weinreb’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit are prosecuting the cases.