WORCESTER – A man and woman pleaded guilty on Tuesday, November 30, in federal court in Worcester for their roles in a fentanyl, heroin, crack and cocaine trafficking conspiracy.
Ricky Figueroa, 31, of Fitchburg, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with 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. The judge scheduled sentencing for March 17.
Monica Troche, 29, of Fitchburg, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with 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. Troche also pleaded guilty to five counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute and distribution of fentanyl, heroin and cocaine. The judge scheduled sentencing for March 15.
The indictment against Troche and Figueroa included indictments of 16 others in July 2020.
According to federal prosecutors, law enforcement began an investigation into drug trafficking in the Fitchburg area led by co-conspirators Pedro Baez and Anthony Baez. Evidece revealed that Troche worked with Anthony Baez to distribute a fentanyl and heroin mixture and cocaine. Communications also revealed that Figueroa supplied Pedro and Anthony Baez, as well as others in the Fitchburg area, with cocaine regularly.
During the investigation, federal agents seized:
- Over 1.8 kilograms of a heroin and fentanyl mixture,
- Over 3.6 kilograms of cocaine
- Over 50 grams of crack cocaine
- A stolen, loaded handgun,
- Drug manufacturing equipment
- Over $376,000
Figueroa distributed 280 grams or more of crack cocaine and 500 grams or more of cocaine. Troche distributed 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 100 grams or more of heroin, and 500 grams or more of cocaine.
Figueroa and Troche are the seventh and eighth defendants to plead guilty in this case. In December 2020, a judge sentenced Anthony Baez to 13 years in prison. Pedro Baez pleaded guilty on February 2. The judge scheduled sentencing for May 17.
The charge of conspiracy 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 provides for a sentence of up to life in prison and a fine of up to $10 million.
The other drug trafficking charges provide for a sentencing range of five years to a lifetime in prison and a fine of between $5 million to $10 million.
