08-17-04 -- Febo, Saul "Gordo" et al. -- Sentencing -- News Release
Saul Febo and Wilson Torres Sentenced To Federal Prison For Their Roles In Camden Drug Gang
CAMDEN - Saul " Gordo" Febo and Wilson "Chill Will" Torres were sentenced today to federal prison terms in connection with their roles in the Rivera drug gang that distributed cocaine at multiple locations in Camden, U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie announced.
U.S. District Judge Joseph H. Rodriguez sentenced Febo, 37, of Camden, to 13 years in prison, 5 years of supervised release upon the completion of his prison term and fines in the amount of $25,000. Judge Rodriguez sentenced Torres, 37, also of Camden, to12 years in prison, 5 years of supervised release and $5,000 in fines.
Febo and Torres were two of 18 drug organization members who either pleaded guilty or were convicted in connection with their roles in a cocaine distribution organization that operated in Camden for nearly 10 years.
Both Febo and Torres admitted to being members of the organization that managed and supplied drugs for two of the city's most notorious drug distribution locations:
• the "Alley," an area between the rear of homes on Morse and Boyd Streets, bordered by Bank Street and Baird Boulevard near the McGuire Public House Development; and
• the "33rd Street Set," a drug distribution location at 33rd Street and Westfield Avenue by the Woodrow Wilson Arms Apartments.
Febo, Torres and eleven other gang members were arrested on Feb. 25, 1998, by Special Agents of the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation section, Camden County Prosecutor's Office, and Camden City Police.
Febo pleaded guilty on Aug. 16, 1999, to Count One of a Superseding Indictment charging him with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine.
Febo cooperated with the U.S. Attorney's Office and testified at trials against drug gang leader Jose "JR" Rivera, enforcer Luis "Tun Tun" Figueroa, and former Camden City Mayor Milton Milan.
In sentencing Febo and Torres, Judge Rodriguez noted that without the U.S. Government's downward departure motion which detailed Febo's cooperation and truthful testimony at the various trials, the court could not have varied from the sentencing guideline range of life in prison for Febo; and 360 months to life for Torres.
Parole has been abolished in the federal system, and defendants who receive custodial sentences must serve nearly all that time.
Christie credited Special Agents of the FBI in Philadelphia, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge John C. Eckenrode; Special Agents of the IRS Criminal Investigation section, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Patricia J. Haynes; and Investigators with the Camden County Prosecutor's Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Vincent P. Sarubbi, with developing this case.
The Government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin T. Smith and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Sally M. Smith of the U.S. Attorney's Criminal Division in Camden.
- end -
Defense Attorney: Febo - Richard Sparaco, Esq. Cherry Hill
Torres - Thomas DeMarco, Esq. Camden
UNITED STATES v. RIVERA, et al
SENTENCES
DEFENDANT DATE SENTENCE SENTENCE
1. Jose "JR" Rivera 12/03/03 192 months
$200,000 fine
2. Saul "Gordo" Febo
3. Luis "Tun Tun" Figueroa 3/27/03 35 years
420 months
4. Wilson "Chill Will" Torres
5. Victor Padilla 7/19/01 70 months
6. Vidal Padilla 7/19/01 63 months
7. Edwin "Tio" Massa 10/17/01 120 months
8. Benjamin "Baho" Massa 3/26/03 77 mon. R.35
1/17/02 92 months
9. Eduardo "Quarttro," 1/31/02 105 months
"Augusto DeJesus" Vargas
10. Alba Restrepo 10/17/01 84 months
11. Noel Ruiz 5/8/03 84 months
12. Kenneth "Waffeq X. Shabazz," 160 mon. - Ct. 1
"Blockhead," "Fathead," 120 mon. - Ct. 12
"Bighead" Waller 1/29/02 120 mon. - Inf.
13. Ernesto "Tito" Padilla 8/22/01 46 months
14. Jose Ariel Velasquez 9/6/01 54 months
15. Eduardo "Chino" Negroni 1/16/02 80 months
16. Manuel "Manny" Cordero 5/1/03 144 months
17. Patrick "Dino" Johnson 12/20/01 97 months
18. Francisco DeLosSantos 10/15/99 78 months