Defendant Sentenced to 11 Years for Drug Distribution

BOSTON, MA—A Fitchburg man was sentenced yesterday in federal court for conspiracy and distribution of cocaine base.

ANGEL ROMAN, 25, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV to 11 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. In November 2010, ROMAN pleaded guilty to distribution of cocaine base and conspiracy to distribute cocaine base.

Had the case proceeded to trial, the government’s evidence would have proven that the investigation and arrest of ROMAN was part of a large-scale undercover operation investigating drug and gang activity in Fitchburg that resulted in 10 federal indictments and the prosecution of over 20 individuals on state charges. In 2009, a witness assisting law enforcement officers made arrangements to purchase crack cocaine on a recorded telephone call from ROMAN and two other individuals. After picking up ROMAN and driving to a property on Day Street, the witness paid ROMAN and his associates $1,100 in cash. After being paid, ROMAN entered the property and returned with an ounce of crack cocaine. Upon his arrest in December 2009, ROMAN was found to be in possession of $24,000 in cash. The cash was ordered forfeited. In addition, a loaded handgun was recovered from a car that he drove.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz and Steven W. Derr, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New England Field Division made the announcement today. The case was investigated by the DEA HIDTA, which includes a special agent from the FBI and a trooper of the Massachusetts State Police. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Hennessy and Karin Bell of Ortiz’s Worcester Branch Office.