United States Drug Enforcement Administration

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. - On October 14, 2014, Ernesto Matos, 33, of Belchertown, Massachusetts, was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison by Senior United States District Court Judge Thomas J. McAvoy in United States District Court in Albany, New York announced United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian and Drug Enforcement Administration Acting Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt.

“Heroin addiction and overdoses have been on the rise in our district. Eliminating the supply and making it more difficult to obtain are two essential steps to reducing the tragedies of addiction and overdose,” stated United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian. “We will continue to work with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners to rid our communities of this horrible scourge.”

DEA Acting Special Agent in Charge Hunt stated, “Heroin has hit our towns hard. On average, 46 people die a day due to opioid overdoses and this sentencing exemplifies law enforcement’s commitment to ridding our streets of heroin and diverted pain medication.”

“With the assistance of the Drug Enforcement Administration agents, we were able to dismantle a drug distribution organization that was responsible for bringing a large amount of heroin to our area,” said Chief Christopher Premo, Malone Village Police Department. “We were also able to trace the heroin back to Holyoke MA, identifying the supplier to local distributers, further interrupting the flow of illegal drugs.”

Matos pled guilty in May 2014 to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute heroin. As part of that plea agreement, Matos admitted to distributing at least 100 grams of heroin. The charges stemmed from Matos’ role as a supplier of heroin to local dealers in the Malone area. The sentence also includes a three-year term of supervised release following Matos’ incarceration and a $100 special assessment.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, New York State Police, Massachusetts State Police, Belchertown Police Department, Malone Village Police Department and the Franklin County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Katherine Kopita prosecuted the case.