East Longmeadow Man Sentenced for Marijuana Trafficking

BOSTON – An East Longmeadow man was sentenced today in federal court in Springfield for marijuana trafficking.

John Americo Pereira, 38, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to six months in prison and three years of supervised release. In June 2023, Pereira pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute more than 100 kilograms of marijuana. 

In January 2018, an investigation began into Pereira, and others, for trafficking marijuana. During a search of Pereira’s home in February 2019, approximately $688,000 in drug proceeds and more than 269 pounds (122 kilograms) of marijuana packaged in one-pound bags were found. Also found at Pereia’s residence were several smaller or partially filled packages and containers of marijuana, marijuana cigarettes and a large amount of marijuana edibles, including 876 chocolate bars. 

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Office; John E. Mawn, Jr., Interim Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police; and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil L. Desroches of the Springfield Branch Office and the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section of the Department of Justice prosecuted the case.