ST. CROIX — Carmelo Cruz-Velez, 52, of Puerto Rico, pleaded guilty on Friday in federal court on St. Croix to conspiracy to possess a controlled substance with intent to distribute, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced.
Prior to October 21, 2014, Cruz-Velez and his co-conspirators agreed to import cocaine into St. Croix and deliver it to others. On October 21, 2014, his co-conspirators retrieved a mid-sea shipment of cocaine totaling 71 kilograms and brought it to St. Croix pursuant to the agreement. Subsequently, Cruz-Velez, knowing of the plan, took possession of the cocaine and delivered it to another individual.
Cruz-Velez faces up to life imprisonment for the offense and a fine of up to $10,000,000. A sentencing date has been set for January 16, 2017.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alphonso Andrews, Jr.
Tags: 52, Carmelo Cruz-Velez, cocaine, federal government, of Puerto Rico, us virgin islands
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