By A Stoughton, Massachusetts man has been sentenced to 12 years and 7 months in federal prison for his involvement in a large-scale fentanyl trafficking operation while already on federal supervised release, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts announced Thursday.
Angel Morales, 53, received the 151-month prison term followed by five years of supervised release from U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley. The sentencing comes after Morales pleaded guilty in April 2024 to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, and one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.
According to court documents, Morales was part of a widespread conspiracy involving a pill press operation that manufactured, sold, and mailed counterfeit pills containing fentanyl and other drugs between September and November 2022. Prosecutors stated that Morales’s primary role in the operation was to ship packages from various post offices across Massachusetts.
Law enforcement officials reported that Morales used post offices and FedEx facilities in multiple locations including Boston, Randolph, Holbrook, Quincy, Mattapan, Braintree, and Milton to mail over 150 packages. He was aware that some of these packages contained controlled substances. The operation came to light when FedEx employees, following their internal procedures, opened packages and discovered clear plastic sandwich bags filled with pills bearing markings consistent with prescription-only medication. These pills later tested positive for fentanyl.
During October and November 2022, law enforcement observed Morales leaving an apartment in Mattapan before traveling to multiple shipping locations. A subsequent search of the Mattapan apartment yielded significant evidence:
– Over 20 kilograms of pills in various colors, with samples testing positive for fentanyl
– More than 20 kilograms of loose powder, also testing positive for fentanyl
– Numerous packages and mailing labels
– Electronic devices
– Cash
– Three industrial-grade pill presses
– Additional quantities of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine
The case against Morales is particularly notable as he committed these offenses while on federal supervised release. Court records indicate he had been granted compassionate release in 2020 from a previous sentence.
Morales was the last of four co-defendants to be sentenced in this case. The other sentences handed down were:
– Quenty Ogando: 144 months in prison and five years of supervised release (sentenced January 31, 2024)
– Rahelin Reynoso: Six years in prison and two years of supervised release (sentenced June 2024)
– Erika Prado: Time served with one year of supervised release (sentenced April 2024)
The investigation and prosecution involved multiple law enforcement agencies. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy made the announcement along with Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations in New England, and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division.
Additional assistance was provided by the Boston Police Department, Massachusetts State Police, United States Customs and Border Protection, Drug Enforcement Administration, and U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys J. Mackenzie Duane and Jennifer Zacks of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit.
Source: DOJ
