Jose Luis Ponce-Pagan, 36, of Puerto Rico pleaded guilty Tuesday in the Honorable Curtis V. Gomez’s federal court to conspiracy to possess cocaine with the intent to distribute, U.S. Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced.
Sentencing is scheduled for July 28.
According to the plea agreement filed with the court, between Aug. 30 and Sept. 3, Ponce-Pagan knowingly conspired with other individuals to purchase approximately 100 kilograms of cocaine on St. Thomas for distribution in Puerto Rico.
Ponce-Pagan faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and a $10 million fine, according to Sharpe. Ponce-Pagan remains in custody pending sentencing.
The case is the result of a joint investigation by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sigrid M. Tejo-Sprotte.
