Methuen Man Indicted in Fentanyl and Acetyl Fentanyl Conspiracy

 BOSTON – A Methuen man was charged in a superseding indictment yesterday in connection with selling a fentanyl and acetyl fentanyl mixture to an undercover agent on six occasions.

Andi Guerrero-Lara, a/k/a “Manny Sierra,” 22, was charged in a superseding indictment with conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 100 grams or more of acetyl fentanyl as well as distribution and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and 10 grams or more of acetyl fentanyl.

Guerrero-Lara was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with co-defendant Angel Rivera-Valle, a/k/a “Jose Antonio Serrano,” in October 2019. Both defendants have been in custody since.

Guerrero-Lara and Rivera-Valle were subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury on Dec. 18, 2019. Rivera-Valle pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and three counts of distribution of fentanyl. Rivera-Valle is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns on Sept. 8, 2020.

The defendants were members of a drug trafficking organization operating in the Merrimack Valley area of Massachusetts that regularly sold large quantities of fentanyl.  Between September and October 2019, an undercover agent purchased a fentanyl and acetyl fentanyl mixture from the defendants on six separate dates.          

The charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 100 grams or more of acetyl fentanyl carries a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. The charge of distribution and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and 10 grams or more of acetyl fentanyl carries a minimum mandatory sentence of five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years of supervised release and a fine of up to $5 million. The charge of distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and acetyl fentanyl carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 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 and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division made the announcement. Assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and the Andover Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alathea E. Porter of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.