A Southbridge resident has admitted to participating in a cocaine distribution conspiracy in Central Massachusetts. Eric Rivera, 33, pleaded guilty in federal court in Worcester to one count of conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine. Sentencing is set for November 12, 2025, before U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman.
Rivera was indicted by a federal grand jury in November 2024 along with two alleged co-conspirators, Luis Sastre Pagan and Miguel Lopez. Prosecutors say that from April 2023 through April 2024, Rivera was involved in a scheme that brought kilograms of cocaine into Central Massachusetts. According to authorities, Rivera provided addresses as “drop addresses” for drug shipments within Worcester County and transported packages of cocaine to other traffickers in the Springfield area.
During the investigation, law enforcement seized four packages connected to the trafficking organization; each package contained cocaine. One package addressed to Rivera and seized in February 2023 held three kilograms of cocaine. In total, officials attribute between 15 and 50 kilograms of cocaine to Rivera’s role in the conspiracy.
Rivera’s alleged co-conspirators have pleaded not guilty and are awaiting trial.
The charge carries a maximum penalty of up to 20 years imprisonment, at least three years of supervised release, and a fine up to $1 million. Sentences are determined by a federal judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutory factors.
“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 U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division made the announcement.” “Valuable assistance was provided by the DEA Puerto Rico and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico.” “Assistant U.S. Attorney Kaitlin Brown of the Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.”
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation aimed at targeting major criminal organizations through coordinated efforts across agencies using intelligence-driven strategies (https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF).
Authorities note that charges against remaining defendants are allegations only; those individuals are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
