WORCESTER – The 18th and final person has been convicted on federal charges originating from a drug trafficking conspiracy investigation in Fitchburg.
Pedro Villot-Santiago, 33, 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.
The judge in the case scheduled sentencing for Sept. 12.
Villot-Santiago was indicted in July 2020 along with 17 others, including his brother and co-conspirator Jonathan Villot.
A fentanyl overdoes in September 2018 led to the investigation. Starting in July 2019, communications intercepts between those involved in the conspiracy and its supplies Villot-Santiago as a large-scale cocaine supplier.
The investigation led to 1.8 kilograms of a heroin and fentanyl mixture, and over 3.6 kilograms of cocaine being seized. A stolen handgun and $376,000 was also seized. Villot-Santiago was found in possession of a stolen, loaded handgun, as well as over $252,000 in cash.
Villot-Santiago is the last of all 18 defendants who pleaded or were found guilty by a jury.
All 18 individuals charged in the case were charged in July 2020. No other individuals were charged. They are:
- Anthony Baez, 31, of Fitchburg
- Pedro Baez, 52, Fitchburg
- Shastaalena Blair, 39, of Fitchburg
- Ricky Figueroa, 31, Fitchburg
- Amanda Ford, 35, Fitchburg
- Rafael Hidalgo Rodriguez, 33, of Ponce, P.R.
- Jessica Hughes, 31, Orange
- Valerie Lucier, 30, of Fitchburg
- Kevin Martinez, 43, Fitchburg
- Hector Matos, 29, of Whitinsville
- Adiangel Paredes, 36, Leominster
- Abel Rodriguez Rivera, 35, Puerto Rico
- Branny Taveras, 40, Fitchburg
- Ivan Torres, 32, Fitchburg
- Monica Troche, 29, Fitchburg
- Pablo Vidarte Hernandez, 48, Fitchburg
- Jonathan Villot, 31, Fitchburg –
- Pedro Villot-Santiago, 33, Fitchburg
