BOSTON – A Dominican national recently residing in Lawrence was charged yesterday in federal court in Boston in connection with a cocaine distribution conspiracy.
Michael Saredi-Munoz Morta, 21, was charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.
According to charging documents, in or about August 2020, Morta conspired with others to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine in Lawrence.
The charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine provides for a sentence of at least five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $5 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, made the announcement today. The Lawrence Police Department provided valuable assistance in the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Samuel R. Feldman and Leah B. Foley of Mendell’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit are prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.