Ohio Man Pleads Guilty in a Money Laundering Conspiracy Involving Nearly $940,000 in Drug Proceeds

ERIE, Pa. - A former resident of Coshocton, Ohio, pleaded guilty in Erie federal court to a charge of violating money laundering laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Guadalupe Cortez Beserra, 30, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge David S. Cercone.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Beserra conspired to commit money laundering by transferring and delivering approximately $939,610.00 in U.S. currency representing the proceeds of the buying, selling and otherwise dealing in cocaine from an Erie, Pennsylvania drug dealing operation. According to the information provided to the court, Beserra received the money from the organization’s drug dealing operation in Erie, and was instructed to count the money and repackage it in vacuum-sealed bags for further transport.  Investigators seized the money after conducting a search of a residence in Coshocton, Ohio. The money seized by the investigators is subject to forfeiture.

Judge Cercone scheduled sentencing for July 16, 2018 at 1:30 p.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $500,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Marshall J. Piccinini is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement/Homeland Security Investigations, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Coshocton County, Ohio Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Beserra.