A former Worcester resident, Juan Otero, has been sentenced in federal court for firearms offenses and cocaine distribution. The 23-year-old, also known as “Nene” or “Blockz,” was linked to the Eastside gang in Worcester. U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman sentenced Otero to 72 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release.
In February 2025, Otero pleaded guilty to multiple charges: dealing in firearms without a license, receiving a firearm while under indictment, possession of a machinegun, and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. His indictment came from a federal grand jury in March 2024.
Otero’s illegal activities were uncovered when a cooperating witness working with federal law enforcement contacted him via Snapchat about purchasing cocaine. Over two occasions in late 2023, Otero sold the witness 14 grams of cocaine. Additionally, he sold the witness a Taurus 9 mm pistol with an obliterated serial number and ammunition on November 27, 2023.
In January 2025, over a span of twelve days, Otero sold four more firearms to the cooperating witness. These included various pistols and ammunition along with a Glock pistol modified with a machinegun conversion device.
At the time of these offenses, Otero was already facing state firearm charges after being indicted in Worcester Superior Court in 2022 for several crimes related to unlawful possession of weapons and ammunition.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Leah B. Foley alongside Scott Riordan from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives; Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble from the Massachusetts State Police; and Paul Saucier from the Worcester Police Department. The Drug Enforcement Administration and local police departments also contributed valuable assistance.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing gun violence through community collaboration and strategic law enforcement efforts.
