Nine Charged in Schenectady Heroin Trafficking Conspiracy

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Nine people have been charged with operating a heroin distribution ring in Schenectady, New York.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith; Kevin M. Kelly, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); and New York State Police Acting Superintendent Keith M. Corlett. 

The defendants arrested to date, all of whom are charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute heroin, are:

• Jean Carlos Rivera-Perez, aka “Tego,” age 44, of Bronx, New York;
• Esteban Ressy, aka “The Boss,” age 43, of Schenectady and Puerto Rico;
• Leamzy Soto Calderon, aka “Lee,” aka “Gordo,” age 28, of Schenectady;
• Linette Marie Soto, age 24, of Schenectady;
• Kristen Jansen, age 27, of Schenectady;
• Jose Cortes-Cruz, aka “Bimbo,” age 28, of Schenectady;
• Gregory Insogna, age 45, of Amsterdam, New York;
• Patrick McNamara, age 47, of Amsterdam. 

The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Ressy, who was arrested in Puerto Rico on January 8, 2019, faces at least 15 years and up to life in prison, and a maximum fine of $20 million. 

Rivera-Perez, Calderon, and Soto each face at least 10 years and up to life in prison, and a maximum fine of $10 million. 

Jansen and Insogna each face at least 5 years and up to 40 years in prison, and a maximum fine of $5 million. 

Cortes-Cruz and McNamara each face up to 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $1 million. 

The group is alleged to have distributed over a kilogram of heroin in Schenectady between 2017 and December 2018.  In executing search warrants in Schenectady and the Bronx, law enforcement seized hundreds of grams of heroin, cash, and heroin-processing materials. 

This case is being investigated by HSI, the New York State Police, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Amsterdam Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cyrus P.W. Rieck.