Emilio Garcia-Cappas, a 29-year-old from Springfield, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty on April 17 to conspiracy and distribution charges related to fentanyl trafficking. U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni set sentencing for July 29.
Garcia-Cappas admitted to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl between February 5 and February 22, as well as distributing the drug on February 12. According to the announcement by United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Jarod Forget, undercover law enforcement officers purchased fentanyl from Garcia-Cappas and his co-conspirators on three separate occasions.
The charges carry a maximum sentence of up to 30 years in prison, at least six years of supervised release, and fines reaching $2 million per count. Sentencing will be determined based on federal guidelines and statutes governing criminal cases.
The U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts is responsible for enforcing federal laws through prosecutions that include crimes such as national security threats and civil rights violations according to the official website. The office also advances community initiatives focused on civil rights protection and violence prevention according to the official website.
With facilities at the John Joseph Moakley United States Federal Courthouse in Boston as well as branch offices in Springfield and Worcester according to the official website, the office serves all residents across Massachusetts according to the official website. It employs over 200 attorneys, paralegals, and professional staff members according to the official website.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Todd E. Newhouse and Thomas A. Barnico Jr., both from the Springfield Branch Office, are prosecuting this case.