Springfield Man Pleads Guilty to Heroin Distribution

BOSTON – Jose Vargas, 29, of Springfield, pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court in Springfield to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute heroin, and possession with intent to distribute and distribution of heroin.  U.S. District Judge Mark G. Mastroianni scheduled sentencing for July 2, 2015.

At his change of plea hearing, Vargas admitted that on Oct. 6, 2013, he sold heroin to an undercover federal agent in Springfield.  He also admitted that, during the transaction, he handed the heroin to the undercover agent just before his co-conspirator accepted $400 in cash in return for the drugs.  The drug purchase was captured on video.

The charge of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin provides a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, 3-5 years supervised release and a fine of $1 million.  The charge of distribution of heroin provides a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, 3-5 years supervised release and a fine of $1 million.   Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties.  Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz and Daniel J. Kumor, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Deepika Bains Shukla of Ortiz’s Springfield Branch Office.