Jury Convicts Holyoke Man for Distributing Heroin

BOSTON – Following a four-day trial, a Holyoke man was convicted today of distributing heroin at a strip mall in Holyoke and outside a bank in Springfield. 

Luzander Montoya, 28, was convicted of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of heroin on three separate occasions in 2012.  Montoya, who was indicted in March of 2013 is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S District Court Judge Timothy Hillman on July 10, 2015.

In March 2013, Montoya was arrested along with ten other men after a police raid in Holyoke.  Montoya was caught on video selling heroin three times to a cooperating witness in August and September 2012.  During the third deal, Montoya exchanged 200 bags of heroin for $750 in cash.  He did the deal in his car as his young child sat in a car seat in the back seat.

“This case highlights the opioid epidemic we are facing in Massachusetts and the conviction emphasizes the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s commitment to combating the influx of heroin in western Massachusetts,” said United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz.

“The heroin epidemic is a huge problem and this case is another example of the FBI’s ongoing efforts to target the problem and make our neighborhoods safer,” said Vincent B. Lisi, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division.

The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, a minimum of three years of supervised release on each count, and a fine of up to $1 million.  Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than maximum penalties.  Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

U.S. Attorney Ortiz and SAC Lisi made the announcement today.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Deepika Bains Shukla and Kevin O’Regan of Ortiz’s Springfield Branch Office.