Rockland Man Sentenced To Prison For Conspiracy To Distribute Fentanyl
Thursday, November 14, 2024, 6:35 A.M. ET. 3 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
BOSTON, MA.- On Tuesday, November 12, 2024, Ruben Depina, 25, of Rockland, Massachusetts, appeared in U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusettes and was by U.S. District Court Judge Julia E. Kobick to 132 months in federal prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release for his previously entered guilty pleas on drug conspiracy charges.
In August 2024, Depina appeared before Judge Kobick and pleaded guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute 400 Grams or More of Fentanyl; one count of Distribution and Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl; and three counts of Distribution and Possession with Intent to Distribute 40 Grams or More of Fentanyl.
Depina has remained in federal custody since his initial arrest in September 2023, and following Tuesday’s sentence, he will be transferred to the custody of the Bureau of Prisons.
According To The U.S. Attorney’s Office
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office and documents filed with the district court, in May 2023, an undercover law enforcement officer tasked with combating illicit narcotics distribution received a call from Depina, who introduced himself as Jake. Depina told the undercover officer that he had recently been released from jail and was contacting his best customers because he was once again selling drugs.
Depina subsequently participated in four controlled buys under the observation of law enforcement with a confidential informant in May and June 2023, during which he sold different amounts of fentanyl in exchange for money. Specifically, on May 8, 2023, Depina sold around 21 grams of fentanyl to the informant. On May 16, 2023, Depina sold 40 grams of fentanyl to the informant. Then twice again, on May 25, 2023, and June 5, 2023, Depina sold the informant at least 40 grams of fentanyl on both occasions.
On June 11, 2023, Depina’s vehicle was speeding in East Bridgewater. After Police Officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop, the car sped off, colliding with a van at an intersection. When Police Officers approached the vehicle, Depina was observed reaching towards the passenger side floor before complying with the officers’ demands to show his hands.
After showing his hands, Police Officers pulled Depina through the passenger side window and placed him under arrest. A subsequent search of Depina’s vehicle revealed a loaded firearm, multiple cellular phones, a digital scale, and a satchel containing at least 20 grams of crack cocaine.
The following day, on June 12, 2023, Investigators executed a court-authorized search of a residence and loft linked to Depina. During the search, investigators recovered 400 grams of fentanyl, multiple cellular phones, four firearms, multiple rounds of ammunition, and drug paraphernalia consistent with narcotics distribution and paperwork in Depina’s name.
