Indictment Names 13 in an Alleged Violent Drug Gang Conspiracy

PHILADELPHIA—An indictment was filed today against 13 alleged members of the Alexander Rivera Violent Drug Gang (“ARVDG”) charging them in a drug conspiracy, announced United States Attorney Zane D. Memeger and FBI Special Agent in Charge George Venizelos. According to the 27-count indictment, between February 2006, and September 2010, Alexander Rivera, a/k/a “Reds,” ran the ARVDG in and around the intersection of Indiana Avenue and Lawrence Street in North Philadelphia, as well as other areas in Philadelphia, obtaining cocaine, heroin, and PCP that his co-defendants would then sell on the street. The defendants are charged with distributing 280 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack”), and 500 grams or more of cocaine, heroin, and phencyclidine (“PCP”).

Charged with Rivera are Daniel Cortez, a/k/a “Daniel Cortes;” Cesar Burgos, a/k/a “Bebe;” Jose Alequin, a/k/a “Papito;” Manuel Maysonet, a/k/a “Manuel Maysonel;” Angel Rivera, a/k/a “Macho;” Alexander Santana-Santiago, a/k/a “Mario;” Edwin Gonzalez, a/k/a “Edwin Sitiriche;” Fernando Nieves, a/k/a “Fern;” Pedro Vega, a/k/a “Luis;” Victor Pagan, a/k/a “Vic;” Rivera’s wife, Ileana Vidal, a/k/a “Diana;” and Rivera’s mother-in-law, Ida Cardona, a/k/a “Maria.” Rivera and Cortez were arrested on September 9, 2010.

The indictment also alleges that Rivera, Cortez, Maysonet, Pagan, and Nieves engaged in violence to protect and maintain the ARVDG’s drug territory, which included vacant properties and residences in North Philadelphia used for stashing drugs and distribution to customers. More specifically, the indictment alleges: on September 26, 2006, while engaged in a shootout with a rival drug dealer, Rivera shot an innocent bystander; on August 14, 2007, Daniel Cortez, along with two others known to the grand jury, kidnapped and tortured a person who owed Rivera drug money; and on December 24, 2009, Rivera and codefendant Cesar Burgos hired a person known to the grand jury to shoot a rival drug dealer.

“Violent drug gangs contribute to the erosion of our neighborhoods,” said Memeger. “The continuing partnership between the FBI’s Violent Gang Task Force and the Philadelphia Police Department helped make this indictment possible.”

In addition to the conspiracy count, each defendant is additionally charged as follows: Rivera, Burgos, Cortez, Santana-Santiago, and Vega are each charged with distributing heroin; Rivera, Alequin, Burgos, Cortez, Pagan, Santana-Santiago, and Vega are each charged with distributing cocaine base (“crack”); Rivera, Cardona, Nieves, and Pagan are each charged with distributing cocaine; Maysonet and Nieves are each charged with possession with intent to deliver PCP; and Rivera, Maysonet, Nieves, and Pagan are each charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

INFORMATION REGARDING THE DEFENDANTS

If convicted of the conspiracy charges, all defendants face a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation - Philadelphia Division, Violent Gang Safe Streets Task Force, and the Philadelphia Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David Axelrod and Scott Cullen.