News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 3, 2004

Springfield Resident Pleads Guilty to
Narcotics and Firearms Charges

MAY 3 - Springfield, MA... A Springfield man was convicted Friday, April 30, 2004, in federal court of narcotics and firearms charges.

Mark R. Trouville, Special Agent in Charge of the U. S. Drug Enforcement Administration in New England and United States Attorney Michael J. Sullivan; announced that CARLOS PIZARRO, age 36, of 8 Dyer, Springfield, pleaded guilty before U. S. District Judge Michael A. Ponsor to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, cocaine base and heroin; possession with intent to distribute cocaine; and use of a firearm during, and in relation to, a drug trafficking crime.

At Friday’s plea hearing, the prosecutor told the Court that, had the case proceeded to trial, the Government’s evidence would have proven that PIZARRO participated in a conspiracy to operate a crack house located at 149 Cedar Street where over 1.5 kilograms of crack were distributed over a six month period. Also, during the execution of a search warrant at PIZARRO’s residence on February 13, 2003, law enforcement agents seized over a kilogram of powder cocaine, 31 grams of marijuana, a 44 caliber Ruger revolver and ammunition. Agents also seized $23,000 from a safe located in the bedroom.

Judge Ponsor scheduled sentencing for July 14, 2004. PIZARRO faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment for the conspiracy charge since it involved more than 5 kilograms of cocaine and more than 50 grams of cocaine base. In addition, 5 years will be added to his sentence for the firearms charge. This is to be followed by 5 years of supervised release, and a potential $4 million fine.

The case was investigated by the U. S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s Task Force in Springfield, and the Springfield Police Department.