United States Drug Enforcement Administration

BOSTON – A Springfield man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Worcester to drug trafficking charges involving fentanyl.

Juan Jimenez, 48, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and two counts of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman scheduled sentencing for Sept. 15, 2022. Jimenez was charged in May 2021 and subsequently indicted in June 2021.

On multiple occasions in May 2021, Jimenez sold fentanyl to an undercover agent. Specifically, on May 12, 2021, Jimenez met the undercover officer at a parking lot in Sturbridge where he provided the agent with a package containing almost 50 grams of fentanyl. During the meeting, Jimenez expressed to the agent that he did not want to have “that much” on him and therefore intended to bring another individual to future meetings to handle transactions. On May 19, 2021, Jimenez drove himself and another individual to the same parking lot to meet with the undercover agent. There, Jimenez sent his accomplice to provide the agent with a package containing 50 grams of fentanyl. 

The charge of conspiracy to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl provides for a sentence of up to 40 years in prison, at least four years of supervised release and a fine of $5 million. The charges of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl provide for a sentence of at least 10 years and up to life in prison, eight years of supervised release and a fine of up to $8 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Boston Field Division; Southbridge Police Chief Shane Woodson; and Sturbridge Police Chief Earl Dessert made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen M. Noto of Rollins’ Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.

“Fentanyl is causing deaths in record numbers and DEA’s top priority is to aggressively pursue anyone who distributes this poison,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle. “This sentence not only holds Mr. Jimenez accountable for his crimes but serves as a warning to those traffickers who are fueling the opioid epidemic.”