Lowell Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Half a Kilogram of Meth Intended for Distribution
BOSTON – A Lowell man pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston to methamphetamine charges and possessing of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
Ravouth Chhoy, 34, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine and one count of possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs scheduled sentencing for Dec. 7, 2023. Chhoy was indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2022.
Chhoy agreed to distribute more than 5,000 counterfeit Adderall pills containing methamphetamine to a confidential source. Before Chhoy could complete this transaction, law enforcement intercepted Chhoy and recovered more than 6,000 pills – weighing approximately 1.85 kilograms. Additionally, a search of Chhoy’s residence resulted in the recovery of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
The charge of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substances containing a detectible amount of methamphetamine provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life years in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of $5 million. The charge of possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. 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.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division made the announcement today. The Boston Police Department provided critical assistance in the investigation of this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan Panich of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.
