BOSTON – A Boston man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for possessing nearly 500 grams of fentanyl intended for distribution.
Juan Gabriel Bautista Vargas, 31, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel to one year and one day prison and three years of supervised release. The government recommended a sentence of 37 months in prison. On March 31, 2022, Bautista pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.
In February 2021, investigators coordinated a controlled purchase of a half-kilogram of fentanyl from a supplier, to be delivered to a hotel in Boston. Bautista arrived at the meeting location to deliver the drugs, and was found in possession of approximately 498.4 grams of fentanyl packaged in a heat-sealed bag.
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division made the announcement today. The Boston Police Department provided critical assistance in the investigation of this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren A. Graber of Rollins’ Criminal Division prosecuted the case.
