WORCESTER – A local man previously charged with possession of a machinegun pleaded guilty to federal drug charges on Wednesday.
Jose Rivera, 24, of Worcester, pleaded guilty to possession of a machinegun, receipt of a firearm by a person under indictment for a felony, possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The judge in the case set sentencing for June 28.
According to federal prosecutors, a search of Rivera’s residence in March 2023 led to the discovery of:
- Three Glock switches, including one attached to a loaded Glock .40;
- Three large capacity magazines, including a 50-round drum magazine;
- Boxes of ammunition;
- Cocaine intended for distribution;
- A scale, tray, and small plastic baggies; and
- $9,000 in cash
Prosecutors say that Rivera received the Glock .40 caliber on or after Oct. 9, 2021, while he was under indictment in state court for felonies that could lead to incarceration for over a year, which is prohibited by federal law.
- Unlawful Possession of a Machinegun provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.
- Receipt of a Firearm while under Indictment provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.
- Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1 million.
- Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years, to be run consecutively with the sentence imposed on the other counts, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.
