BOSTON, MASSACHUSETS – A Bronx, N.Y. man pleaded guilty on May 4, 2021 in connection with his role in a conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance in 2019.

Jason Jimenez, 27, pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful use of a communications facility. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel scheduled sentencing for Sept. 9, 2021.

On July 10, 2019, Jimenez was arrested after making admissions to investigators in connection with a drug transaction. He was indicted in August 2019 as part of a coordinated enforcement operation in the Merrimack Valley dubbed “Operation Devil’s Highway.” The operation targeted the distribution of opioids, including fentanyl and heroin, and resulted in charges against a total of 40 people for federal drug offenses, with at least a dozen more individuals facing state charges.

The charge of unlawful use of a communications facility provides for a sentence of up to four years in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Lawrence Police Department and North Andover Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan Panich of Mendell’s Office is prosecuting the case.