WORCESTER – A woman became the thirteenth defendant to plead guilty in a federal drug trafficking conspiracy case that originated in Fitchburg.
Federal prosecutors announced on Monday, May 16, that Jessica Hughes, of Orange, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, heroin and cocaine.
U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman scheduled sentencing for Oct. 6, 2022.
Hughes was charged along with 17 others in July 2020.
The case began after a fatal fentanyl overdose in September 2018. Following the overdose, law enforcement began an investigation into a drug trafficking organization in the Fitchburg area led by co-conspirators Pedro Baez and Anthony Baez. Beginning in July 2019, intercepted electronic communications revealed that Pedro and Anthony Baez worked together and with others to distribute a fentanyl and heroin mixture and crack cocaine on a regular basis to individuals in the Fitchburg area who then redistributed that mixture to others.
Prosecutors say that Hughes was a regular drug customer and purchased drugs from Pedro Baez.
Over 1.8 kilograms of a heroin and fentanyl mixture and over 3.6 kilograms of cocaine were seized during the course of the investigation. Law enforcement also seized a stolen, loaded handgun, drug manufacturing equipment and over $376,000.
Hughes is the 13th defendant to plead guilty in the case. In December 2020, Anthony Baez was sentenced by Judge Hillman to 13 years in prison. Co-defendants Pedro Baez, Amanda Ford, Monica Troche, Branny Taveras, Shastaalena Blair, Valerie Lucier, Pablo Vidarte Hernandez, Kevin Martinez, Ricky Figueroa, Hector Matos and Rafael Hidalgo Rodriguez have also pleaded guilty to their roles in the conspiracy.
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, a term of supervised release of up to life and a fine of up to $10 million.
