Fitchburg man gets 13 years in prison for wide-ranging drug trafficking conspiracy

BOSTON, MASS – A Fitchburg man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Worcester for his role in a wide-ranging fentanyl, heroin, crack and cocaine trafficking conspiracy.

Anthony Baez, 32, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman to 156 months in prison and five years of supervised release. In July 2020, Baez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 280 grams or more of cocaine base, and 500 grams or more of cocaine; two counts of distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl and heroin; two counts of distribution of 100 grams or more of heroin and 40 grams or more of fentanyl; and two counts of distribution of 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 100 grams or more of heroin, and cocaine.

Following a fatal fentanyl overdose in September 2018, law enforcement began investigating a drug trafficking organization in the Fitchburg area and discovered that Baez led the organization along with his father, Pedro Baez. Court-authorized interceptions of phones used by Baez and other members of the drug trafficking organization and its suppliers revealed that Baez worked with his father, co-defendant Monica Troche, and others to distribute a fentanyl and heroin mixture, cocaine and crack cocaine on a regular basis to individuals in the Fitchburg area, some of whom resold all or a portion of those drugs to their own customers.

According to court records, Baez was responsible for the distribution of over 1.67 kilograms of a deadly fentanyl and heroin mixture, at least 1.5 kilograms of cocaine and at least 10 grams of cocaine base.

Baez was indicted, along with Pedro Baez, Troche and 15 additional defendants. Baez is the first defendant in this case to be sentenced. Pedro Baez and Troche have pleaded not guilty.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Commissioner Carol Mici of the Massachusetts Department of Correction; and Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement today. The case was investigated by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The Fitchburg Police Department, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Lunenburg Police Department also provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alathea Porter of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.

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