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Press Release

Lawrence Man Sentenced for Fentanyl Distribution

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Massachusetts

BOSTON – A Lawrence man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston in connection with selling fentanyl.

John Mena, 25, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young to 10 months in prison and three years of supervised release. In December 2019, Mena pleaded guilty to one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.    

Mena sold approximately 13g of fentanyl in a transaction that an undercover agent witnessed. Mena was arrested in Lawrence on July 16, 2019, as part of a 10-week coordinated enforcement operation in the Merrimack Valley called “Devil’s Highway.”  The operation targeted the distribution of opioids, including fentanyl and heroin, and resulted in charges against a total of 40 people for federal drug offenses, with at least a dozen more individuals facing state charges.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Essex County District Attorney Jonathan W. Blodgett; and Lawrence Police Chief Roy Vasque made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexandra Brazier of Lelling’s Office prosecuted the case.

Updated September 15, 2020

Topic
Drug Trafficking