A Southbridge man, Ismael Maysonet, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison and five years of supervised release for his role as the chief lieutenant of a drug trafficking organization operating in Central Massachusetts and the North Shore. The sentencing took place in federal court in Worcester before U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman.
Maysonet, 44, was convicted in February 2025 after a six-day jury trial on charges including conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute significant quantities of cocaine and fentanyl. He was originally charged in September 2022 along with 21 other co-conspirators.
Authorities identified Maysonet as the chief lieutenant of a Southbridge-based drug trafficking group that distributed cocaine and fentanyl both to retail customers and other dealers. The organization was led by Jonathan Pizarro Gonzalez and Isaac Gonzalez. Investigators found that the group regularly used the United States mail system to send drugs from Puerto Rico to Massachusetts addresses, as well as mailing fentanyl to recipients in Florida and elsewhere.
As part of his role, Maysonet coordinated narcotics shipments from Puerto Rico, negotiated with suppliers, transported drugs and proceeds between customers and suppliers, and packaged fentanyl for shipment to Florida for further distribution. During the investigation, law enforcement seized approximately nine kilograms of cocaine sent through the mail and 800 grams of fentanyl from members of the organization. Authorities say Maysonet is responsible for distributing over 700 grams of fentanyl and three kilograms of cocaine.
The case also noted that during his trial in February 2025, Maysonet threatened a federal witness in open court.
Both leaders of the organization pleaded guilty earlier this year; Jonathan Pizarro Gonzalez received a sentence of 10 years while Isaac Gonzalez was sentenced to 15 years.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley stated: “United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Jarod A. Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the Boston Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service made the announcement today.” She also acknowledged assistance from several agencies including local police departments, sheriff’s offices, and federal authorities.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephen W. Hassink and Samuel R. Feldman prosecuted the case as part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation—a program designed to target high-level criminal organizations using a multi-agency approach driven by intelligence led by prosecutors. More information about OCDETF can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Officials reminded that details contained within charging documents are allegations only; remaining defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
