Dominican National Pleads Guilty to Cocaine Trafficking

ROCHESTER, N.Y.-- U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Jose Nunez-Donastor, a/k/a Jesus Perez, a/k/a Rafael Torres Rivera, a/k/a Guineo, a/k/a Gineo, 33, of New York City, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of 500 grams or more of cocaine. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years, a fine of $5,000,000 or both.

            Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert A. Marangola, who is handling the case, stated that Nunez-Donastor and other members of the conspiracy were responsible for the distribution of significant quantities of cocaine and crack cocaine throughout the Rochester area that were transported by vehicle from Pennsylvania. The investigation involved court-authorized wire taps and resulted in the federal arrest of 10 defendants between May and October 2012. To date, all defendants have been convicted. Nunez-Donastor is an illegal alien who will be deported to the Dominican Republic following the completion of his prison sentence.                                    

            The plea is the culmination of an investigation on the part of Special Agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Scott Heagney and Investigators of the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief James Sheppard, and the Monroe County District Attorney's Office, under the direction of Sandra Doorley.

            Sentencing is scheduled for July 15 at 2:15 p.m. before Judge Siragusa.