A Mattapan man was arrested Friday, Feb. 17, in the South End and charged in Boston Federal Court in connection with cocaine distribution.
Francisco Torres, 36, was charged in a criminal complaint with possessing cocaine with intent to distribute and distributing cocaine. According to the complaint affidavit, authorities were concerned about the fact that Torres had ready access to secure locations at Logan International Airport, access to aircraft and loading ramps at the airport through his employment at JetBlue Airways.
Thursday evening, Feb. 16, Torres was arrested in the South End following a sting operation, where he was caught allegedly exchanging 850 grams of cocaine for more than $33,000 in cash which was in a paper bag. Immediately after the exchange, officers approached Torres who threw the bag of money over a fence. Officers arrested Torres and recovered the money. Torres was detained following an initial appearance before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Page Kelley.
The charging statute provides for a minimum of five years and no greater than 40 years in prison, a minimum of four years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $5 million. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties.