Dominican National Sentenced for Fentanyl Possession

Jose Villar, 29, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young to 18 months in prison and four years of supervised release. Villar will face deportation upon completion of his sentence. On Jan. 20, 2021, Villar pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl.

In November 2019, undercover investigators arranged to make a controlled purchase of fentanyl from a drug supplier. When agents arrived to the location, Villar motioned to them to pull over the car. As the agents exited their vehicle, Villar attempted to run, but was quickly apprehended. Agents subsequently seized 88 grams of fentanyl that Villar was observed throwing over a fence.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; William S. Walker, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; and Lawrence Police Chief Roy P. Vasque made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of Mendell’s Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.