News Release [print-friendly version]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 7, 2008

Springfield Man Pleads Guilty To Drug Trafficking Charges

MAR 7 -- (Springfield, MA) - A Springfield man was convicted yesterday in federal court of Conspiracy, one count of Possession with intent to Distribute and Distribution Cocaine, and one count of Possession with intent to Distribute and Distribution of Heroin.

June W. Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration - New England Field Division and United States Attorney Michael J. Sullivan announced today that MIGUEL LOZADA, age 30, of Chestnut Street in Springfield, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Michael A. Ponsor to one count of Conspiracy to Possess with intent to Distribute and Distribution of Cocaine, Cocaine Base, and Heroin.

At yesterday's plea hearing, the prosecutor told the Court that had the case proceeded to trial the Government’s evidence would have proven that LOZADA sold 50 grams to two other individuals on or about March 14, 2006. The prosecutor further told the Court that LOZADA agreed to provide and did provide 40 grams of heroin to a customer on or about April 2, 2006, and then agreed to provide 200 grams of better quality heroin on April 3, 2006, after the original 40 grams proved to be of poor quality. The evidence would have also shown that LOZADA sold 14 grams of cocaine on or about June 2, 2006.

Judge Ponsor scheduled sentencing for June 5, 2008. LOZADA faces up to 80 years imprisonment, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, and a $6 million fine.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.