A New York man was sentenced to 11 years in prison for participating in a scheme to try and sell fentanyl, methamphetamine, and heroin in North Jersey, U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger announced.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Juan Carlos Merced Moreno, aka “Samuel,” 45, of Manhattan, New York, pleaded guilty by videoconference on December 20th, 2022, before U.S. District Judge Claire C. Cecchi to a superseding information charging him with one count of conspiracy to distribute.
Specifically, he admitted to possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl, 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine, and 100 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of heroin.
Cecchi imposed the sentence on Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Newark.
According to court documents, Moreno admitted that from November 2020 through January 2021 he conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and heroin.
He also admitted participating in the conspiracy from locations in Manhattan and that some of the controlled substances were transported to New Jersey.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Cecchi sentenced Moreno to four years of supervised release.
While specific locations in New Jersey were not mentioned, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office was one of several agencies credited by Sellinger with the investigation that led to the sentencing.
He also mentioned the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, New York City Airport Border Enforcement Security Task Force, special agents of Homeland Security Investigations Newark Airport Border Enforcement Security Task Force, members of the New York Police Department, thanking them for their help.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Levin of the U.S. Attorney’s Office National Security Unit in Newark.
