ROCHESTER, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. and DEA New York Division Special Agent in Charge Ray Donovan announced that Freddie Silva Otero, 49, of Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, NY, who was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, five kilograms or more of cocaine, was sentenced to serve 57 months in prison by Chief U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci.  

Assistant U.S. Attorney Katelyn M. Hartford, who is handling the case, stated that between Jan. 12, 2018, and Jan. 29, 2018, the defendant conspired with others to distribute cocaine in the Rochester area.

In furtherance of the conspiracy, Otero communicated via telephone with co-defendants Leitscha Poncedeleon and Carlos Javier Figueroa regarding the shipment of cocaine from Puerto Rico to Rochester, via the United States Postal Service. Leitscha Poncedeleon provided the defendant with addresses. Otero then mailed packages containing approximately two kilograms of cocaine each.

Between Jan. 16 and Jan. 24, 2018, the defendant shipped a total of six packages from Puerto Rico to Rochester via the United States Postal Service.

A total of 10 defendants have been charged in connection with this conspiracy, five have been convicted.

This sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Rochester Resident Office; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Violent Crime Task Force, New York Field Division; the Rochester Police Department; the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office; the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Greece Police Department; the Brighton Police Department; and U.S. Border Patrol.

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