Defendants From Northern Colorado Heroin Network Convicted and Sentenced for Their Roles in Drug Trafficking Which Resulted in Death

DENVER – Four defendants who were indicted by a federal grand jury in Denver for their roles in the distribution of heroin which resulted in a fatal overdose have all be convicted and sentenced, U.S. Attorney John Walsh, FBI Denver Division Special Agent in Charge Thomas Ravenelle and Longmont Public Safety Chief Mike Butler announced.  The four defendants were charged following the March 4, 2013 fatal overdose of an individual in Longmont, Colorado.  In their respective plea agreements, all four admitted their roles in the distribution of the heroin which resulted in that fatality.  The January 23, 2015 arrests of the four federal defendants were conducted simultaneously with those of 10 other persons who were named in state charges for possession and/or distribution of a schedule I controlled substance. 

Brice Alday and his three co-defendants have all pled guilty and were sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Christine M. Arguello.  Lead defendant Brice Alday was sentenced to serve 120 months (10 years) in federal prison for Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin.  Danielle Sciortino was sentenced to serve 60 months (5 years) in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute heroin, the use of which resulted in death.  Jesse Hervey was sentenced to serve 36 months (3 years) in federal prison for that same charge.  Finally, Jacquelynn Bradley was sentenced to serve 5 years’ probation, with the first 8 months in home detention for her role in the conspiracy to distribute heroin. 

“Heroin is a deadly drug that is killing young people across all segments of our society,” said U.S. Attorney John Walsh.  “This heroin trafficking network sold a dangerous drug that resulted in the death of an individual.  Because of their conduct, they will be held criminally accountable.  And a word to other heroin dealers – you’re next.”

"The distribution of heroin is a serious matter because in addition to the victim in this case, the drug is killing thousands of people across the country. In fact, heroin abuse is now a full-fledged epidemic in the United States. That's why we will continue to work closely with the United States Attorney's Office to investigate and prosecute heroin traffickers like the defendants in this case," said Denver FBI Special Agent in Charge Thomas Ravenelle.

“This was a great partnership between the FBI, Longmont Police Department, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and we could not have pulled off this major investigation without the support and teamwork between these three agencies,” said Longmont Public Safety Chief Mike Butler.  “It had a positive impact in our community and sent a strong message that we are taking narcotics investigations seriously.”

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Fort Collins Resident Agency and the Longmont Police Department.  In addition, the Boulder District Attorney’s Office and the Boulder County Coroner’s Office worked closely with law enforcement in the investigation and prosecution of these defendants.

The federal defendants were prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bradley Giles.