Massachusetts Man Sentenced In Manhattan Federal Court To 151 Months In Prison For Trafficking Of Cocaine, Heroin, And Oxycodone Pills

Preet Bharara, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that HECTOR SANTILLAN, a/k/a “Bane,” a/k/a “Bene,” a/k/a “Liro,” was sentenced in Manhattan federal court to 151 months in prison for conspiring to distribute cocaine, heroin, and oxycodone pills, and possessing with intent to distribute cocaine.  He was convicted in November 2015 following a five-day jury trial before U.S. District Judge Robert W. Sweet.  SANTILLAN was sentenced today before Judge Sweet.

U.S. Attorney Bharara stated: “Hector Santillan was convicted by a jury of serious drug trafficking crimes.  Heroin and prescription pill abuse is ravaging our neighborhoods, and those like Santillan who peddle these drugs are fueling this national epidemic.”

According to the evidence presented at trial and documents filed in the case:           

From in or about the summer of 2012, up to and including February 12, 2013, SANTILLAN sold cocaine, heroin, and oxycodone pills as a member of a drug trafficking organization spanning the east coast of the United States.  On February 12, 2013, SANTILLAN and a co-conspirator travelled from Massachusetts to the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan, where SANTILLAN purchased four kilograms of cocaine.  As they turned around to return to Massachusetts, their car was pulled over by a Westchester County Police officer for a traffic violation.  A search of the car later revealed the cocaine in a compartment hidden under the seat on which SANTILLAN was sitting.  The evidence at trial also showed that SANTILLAN owned an assault rifle, and in concert with other co-conspirators, SANTILLAN used his assault rifle to make a credible threat to use violence against an individual he believed was planning to rob the organization of drugs and drug proceeds.

SANTILLAN, 38, of Methuen, Massachusetts, was sentenced to 151 months in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release, and a $200 special assessment.

United States Attorney Bharara praised the investigative work of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Westchester County Department of Public Safety. 

The case is being handled by the Office’s Narcotics Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kristy J. Greenberg and Noah D. Solowiejczyk are in charge of the prosecution.