Leader of Violent City Drug Gang Sentenced

PHILADELPHIA—Alexander Rivera, a/k/a “Reds”, 30, of Philadelphia, was sentenced today to life in prison, plus an additional 60 months for a drug conspiracy and other related charges in connection with running the Alexander Rivera Narcotics Distribution Organization (“ARDO”), announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger. Between February 2006 and September 2010, Rivera ran the ARDO, controlling drug distribution in and around the intersection of Indiana Avenue and Lawrence Street in North Philadelphia, as well as other areas in Philadelphia. Rivera obtained cocaine, crack, heroin, and PCP that his co-defendants would then sell on the street. Rivera was convicted of all charges at trial along with his wife, Ileana Vidal, a/k/a “Diana,” 26, who was only charged with conspiracy. The indictment also charged 15 co-defendants, who pleaded guilty to their roles in the operation. Today’s sentence was handed down by U.S. District Court Judge Juan R. Sanchez.

Rivera and his cohorts engaged in violence to protect and maintain the ARDO’s drug territory. On September 26, 2006, while engaged in a shootout with a rival drug dealer, Rivera shot an innocent bystander; on August 14, 2007, co-defendant Daniel Cortez and two others kidnapped and tortured a person who owed Rivera drug money; and on December 24, 2009, Rivera and co-defendant Cesar Burgos hired a person to shoot a rival drug dealer. Rivera was convicted of conspiracy, and other counts charging him with distribution or possession with intent to distribute cocaine, cocaine base (“crack”), and heroin, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

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 Randy Hsia.