Rochester man sentenced for role in drug conspiracy
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. and DEA New York Division Special Agent in Charge Ray Donovan announced today that Pablo Rentas-Torres, 36, of Rochester, who was convicted of conspiring to possess with intent to distribute, and distributing, fentanyl, cocaine and crack cocaine was sentenced to serve 27 months in prison by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. McGrath, who is handling the case, stated that Rentas-Torres was a member of a drug trafficking organization led by co-defendant Jose Casado. Between December 2017 and May 15, 2019, the organization distributed large quantities of fentanyl, cocaine and crack cocaine out of drug houses located on Clifford Avenue and Treyer Street in Rochester.
Casado would obtain bulk quantities of fentanyl, heroin and crack cocaine, which he and others would “bag-up” or package for sale to individual drug users. Drug users would contact Casado directly via cellular phone to order quantities of drugs and Casado, in turn, would routinely direct other members of the conspiracy, including the defendant, to obtain drugs from the organization’s drug stash and to deliver it to the customer at a pre-arranged location. The drug runners then met with the customer and provided the drugs in exchange for cash. Casado or another member of the organization would collect the proceeds of the drugs sales from the drug runners periodically throughout the day. On Feb. 12, 2019, defendant Rentas-Torres sold 79 baggies of fentanyl and 81 baggies of cocaine in exchange for $600, on behalf of the drug trafficking organization.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Rochester Police Department and the DEA’s Rochester Resident Office.
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