Haverhill Gang Member, Drug Supplier Sentenced on Drug Trafficking Charges

BOSTON—Two Haverhill men were sentenced in federal court late yesterday on conspiracy and distribution of crack cocaine charges.

United States District Court Chief Judge Mark L. Wolf sentenced Curtis Hester, 26, to 92 months in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release, and Timothy Moynihan, 36, to 150 months in prison to be followed by nine years of supervised release. Both were sentenced for conspiring to distribute more than 28 grams of cocaine base and distribution of cocaine base. Hester’s sentence was due in part to Judge Wolf’s finding that Hester had lied at an earlier hearing. Hester previously pleaded guilty to the charges, while Moynihan was convicted by a jury.

In September 2010, Hester, Moynihan, and several other individuals were arrested after a year-long investigation by the FBI into drug trafficking and gang violence in Lawrence and Haverhill. Moynihan supplied Hester with the crack cocaine that Hester then provided to an FBI-cooperating witness.

“In order to improve the quality of life for those who live in neighborhoods hardest hit by violent crime, we will continue to target not only violent gang members, but also those who supply gang members with drugs,” said United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz.

U.S. Attorney Ortiz; Richard DesLauriers, special agent in charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Colonel Marian J. McGovern, superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Essex County Sheriff Frank G. Cousins, Jr.; Middlesex County Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian; and Haverhill Police Chief Alan R. DeNaro made the announcement. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Peter K. Levitt and Christopher Pohl in Ortiz’s Organized Crime Strike Force Unit.