Luis Mendez, 37, was indicted on one count of possession
with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana. Mendez has been in state
custody since his arrest on Feb. 7, 2019.
According to the charging document, on Feb. 7, 2019, after
an investigation into drug distribution in and around New Bedford, law
enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Mendez’s apartment, where
Mendez was found in possession of approximately 15 grams of cocaine and 500
grams of marijuana. Mendez has prior felony convictions for narcotics
distribution.
The charge of distribution of a controlled substance
provides for a sentence of no greater than 30 years in prison, up to a lifetime
of supervised release, and a maximum fine up to $2 million. Sentences are
imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines
and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R.
Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation,
Boston Field Office; and New Bedford Police Chief Joseph C. Cordeiro made the
announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Soivilien of Lelling’s
Organized Crime and Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods
(PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the
communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer
for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of
the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all
U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and
tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective,
locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The
defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a
reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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