Worcester Man Convicted on Federal Charge for Selling Drugs in Worcester Neighborhood, Reports U.S. Attorney

15 November 2005

A Worcester man has been convicted in federal court on a federal drug offense. United States Attorney Michael J. Sullivan; Worcester County District Attorney John J. Conte; and Worcester Police Chief Gary Gemme, announced that JOSE OTERO, age 34, of 10 Winfield Street, Worcester, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty on Thursday, November 10, 2005, before U.S. District Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV to possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, commonly known as "crack" cocaine. At the plea hearing, the prosecutor told the Court that, had the case proceeded to trial, the evidence would have proven that on October 7, 2004, officers assigned to the Worcester Police Department's Anti-Violent/Street Crime unit were patrolling the Pleasant Street area of Worcester when they observed a car drive past at a high rate of speed. Officers ran the license plate and learned that the car had been reported stolen. Officers stopped the car and questioned OTERO, who was driving the car. When asked who owned the car, OTERO replied, "I don't know. Some girl." Officers placed OTERO under arrest for using a motor vehicle without authority and for driving on a suspended license. During the subsequent search of OTERO, officers recovered $1,141 in cash and over 40 grams of crack cocaine from OTERO's pants' pocket. Once the crack cocaine was found, OTERO stated that he could not go back to jail that he had just gotten out of jail for drug violations. Judge Saylor scheduled sentencing for February 2, 2006 at 3:30 p.m. OTERO has been in custody since his arrest and has admitted to having prior drug convictions. As a result, he faces a minimum mandatory term of imprisonment of 10 years up to a maximum of life, to be followed by 8 years of supervised release, and a $4 million fine. This case was referred for federal prosecution by Worcester County District Attorney Conte as part of the ongoing state and federal partnership in Worcester County fostered by the Weed and Seed program. The Weed and Seed Initiative is aimed at bringing together local, state and federal law enforcement officials to combat violent crime and drug trafficking activity in targeted high-crime neighborhoods and help revitalize communities with strong citizen-supported institutions, services, and activities. The investigation was conducted by the Worcester Police Department's Anti- Violent/Street Crime Unit. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Casey in Sullivan's Worcester Office.

Source: PR Newswire

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