News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 9, 2002

New York Man Sentenced To Federal Prison

Boston, MA….A Bronx, New York, man was sentenced Thursday, December 5, 2002, in federal court for conspiracy to possess, with intent to distribute, and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

Mark R. Trouville, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division, United States Attorney Michael J. Sullivan, and Colonel Thomas Foley Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police, announced that HECTOR MARINEZ, age 39, of the Bronx, New York, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Rya W. Zobel to over 3 years and 10 months' imprisonment, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release. MARINEZ pleaded guilty on September 9, 2002, to conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute, and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.

At the earlier plea hearing, the prosecutor told the Court that had the case proceeded to trial the Government's evidence would have proven that on October 8, 2001, MARINEZ was driving in the Hopkinton area of Massachusetts Turnpike when he was stopped for a motor vehicle violation. During the course of the stop, a Massachusetts State Trooper discovered that MARINEZ was driving with a suspended license. A subsequent search of the car revealed that MARINEZ had hidden in his vehicle almost 18 kilograms of cocaine. The cocaine was destined for distribution in the New England area.

The case was investigated by DEA and the Massachusetts State Police.