MAN SENTENCED TO 32 MONTHS FOR POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE COCAINE

St. Thomas, VI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that Julio Soto Robles, 34, of Puerto Rico, was sentenced on Friday, January 27, 2023, to 32 months’ imprisonment followed by four years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute 735 grams of cocaine.

On August 24, 2022, Soto Robles pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine. According to court records, on August 18, 2020, Soto Robles and a co-traveler, Gregory Vega, arrived at the Cyril E. King Airport from Puerto Rico with no luggage. During a primary inspection by Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Soto Robles was found to be in possession of approximately $11,000 in U.S. currency. Soto Robles told CBP officers that the money was to pay for the surgery of a relative named Rafaela. Soto Robles further stated that he never met this relative and only knew her as “Tia Abuela.” On August 20, 2020, Soto Robles and his co-traveler returned to the Cyril E. King airport and attempted to board a flight to Puerto Rico. During secondary inspection, CBP officers searched a suitcase that the two men were carrying and discovered three separate bundles of cocaine.

The case was investigated by Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Payne.