WORCESTER — A Worcester man has pleaded guilty to his role in a cocaine distribution conspiracy involving a package mailed from Puerto Rico, federal prosecutors announced Wednesday.
Hector Torres, 33, pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court to a count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, and one count of possession with intent to distribute the same amount. Sentencing is scheduled for August 26th before U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman.
According to federal prosecutors, a package sent from Puerto Rico to Worcester in June 2022 was found to contain approximately 6.5 kilograms of cocaine. Authorities executed a controlled delivery of the package on June 21st, 2022.
Torres accepted the parcel, apologized for not being present earlier, and signed for it before placing it on the ground.
When officers attempted to arrest him, Torres fled on foot but was quickly apprehended.
Torres was indicted by a federal grand jury in November 2023.
Each charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years and up to 40 years in prison, at least 4 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $5 million. Sentencing will be based on federal guidelines and statutes.
In The News
>WEATHER: Mark Rosenthal's 7-day forecast (:34). Hot and humid, high of 90 today in Worcester
>TOP OF THE NEWS
-Worcester celebrates early Fourth with fireworks show on Wednesday
-Man busted after throwing "dynamite" out window in Worcester
-Worcester County "professional tenants" indicted on more than 50 criminal charges (3:07). Article
-Worcester man arrested for alleged crack distribution near Kingsbury and Shepard streets
-"True warrior": 3-year-old girl from Paxton beats cancer. Now her parents need a lifeline
-Related: Worcester police donate to family in need (1:59)
-Worcester police are in the process of taking delivery of 11 of these Dodge Durangos
-Worcester man on probation charged with assault after attacking teen and father in apartment hallway
-Webster Water Ski Collective hosts veterans at Lake Quinsigamond to learn to water ski
-Record number of drivers expected for July Fourth travel in Mass. (1:21)
-Radio Worcester's The Rundown (27:49): Breaking down W.P.D. scrutiny and city manager review
-Radio Worcester Roundtable (50:43): City Manager review, council dynamics and the influence of local blogs
>DINING OUT (brought to you by Patsie Dugan's): Who's open this holiday week? Check Dining Out and Bars & Bands
-ICYMI: WPI halts plan to convert hotel to dorms; school sees it as income source
-Pickleball coming for Worcester’s courts: Popular sport taking over tennis courts
-Multiple proposals would ban new billboards in Worcester
-Drone video reveal of Worcester (:09)
-See the rest of the day's Worcester news
>HOLDEN (brought to you by Lamoureux Ford): Holden police welcome new officer
-Lamoureux Ford offers huge discounts! (2:53)
-This week's traffic delays and road closures
>THE BURBS (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): TODAY! Traffic advisory for Rutland's fireworks
-Man indicted in death of Austin Schepper, Sturbridge man who had been missing
-Shrewsbury may explore change in government structure
-S.U.V. crashes into Westborough home
-Rollover crash with injuries closes Mill Road in Westborough
-Ocean State Job Lot opening new Auburn location at former Big Lots
-Summer fun at West End Creamery Adventure Farm
-Traffic stop in Clinton leads to arrest after driver cites crash, then child support, for suspended license
>BARS & BANDS: The Mayor's Live Music List for Thursday
>SHOWTIME: Listen Up: Rapper Dion grips with hope, pain n "Bacc Home Freestyle"
-Last Call: Sophie Lee, owner, Sophpremacy jewelry
-Worcester County Wonders: The story of Samuel Slater is more relatable today than ever
-Things to do in July in Central Mass. (& FREE printable)
>OPINION: Lea Shell: Staying curious with Dr. Madhusudan Katti
-WCCA-TV's This Is Worcester No. 214 (29:05): Pastor Mike Stoliker
>OBITUARIES: Tribute to Shrewsbury man who passed away at age 26
>SPORTS: Jayson Tatum shares encouraging update in Achilles surgery rehab
-Celtics’ 2025 NBA Summer League schedule and projected roster
-Red Sox lose to Reds, 8-4
-Celebrate with Bravehearts $4 for the 4th, $4 tickets to doubleheader starting at 4
-Bravehearts sweep Vermont, 13-8. Next home game 4 p.m. Friday. Buy tickets here
-Bravehearts to host 3 weeks of baseball camp starting Monday
-Ed Kahovec signs contract extension as Holy Cross baseball head coach
-WooSox split doubleheader with Syracuse
-Former North High, Worcester Academy basketball star Amir Jenkins commits to West Virginia
-U.S. men beat Guatemala to reach Gold Cup final
>NATIONAL: Chicago shooting leaves at least 3 dead, 16 injured
-Bryan Kohberger pleads guilty to killing 4 Idaho college students in 2022 (2:04)
-7 missing after explosion at California fireworks warehouse sets off massive blaze
>TRAGIC: Alligator mauls wife, 61, canoeing with her husband
>NEW ENGLAND: 2 people injured after fireworks discharge on Cape Cod (2:05). Article
-Wealth surtax may generate $3 billion in Mass.
>COLLEGES: For 2 Assumption students, from football to friends and physicians
>TRAVEL (brought to you by Fuller RV & Rental): 6 of the best botanical gardens in the U.S.
>BUSINESS: Your car insurance rates are going up in July
-LPL Financial Research: Strategic time horizon supports allocation to non-U.S. equities
-Biomanufacturer breaks ground on $50 million expansions in Devens
>SHOPPING: Amazon Prime members brace for sticker shock as price hike predicted
>HOMES: Mass. brokers fees could be passed to landlords
>HEALTH: Skin cancer prevention tips for people with dark skin
-Less invasive knee procedure uses patient's own cells to repair cartilage damage
>FOOD: Lil McDonald's Happy Meals to include restaurant-inspired mini toys
>TV/STREAMING: "The Simpsons" kill off Marge Simpson in Season 36 finale and fans are outraged
>MOVIES: Trailer for "The Strangers - Chapter 2" (2:19)
>CELEBRITY: Diddy likely to be sentenced to months, not years over prostitution conviction: expert
-Rachael Ray continues to spark fan concern with "bizarre behavior" at alcohol event
>ANIMALS: Mangy puppy who was too scared to walk on floors opens up (1:45)
>HISTORY: Then & Now: Brink's, 12 Mason St., Worcester
>GOOD NEWS: Cops rescue teen, his pet cats lost in Somerset swamp
-Meanwhile, in Florida, alligator "knocking on front doors" gets stuck in folding chair
Latest obituaries | | Wednesday's Highlights | | Today's horoscope | | Local Sports
Quick Links: Personalize your news | | Browse members | | Advertise | | Blogs | | Invite friends | | Videos
Animals | | Boston Sports | | Business | | Cars | | Celebrity | | Colleges | | Commute & Travel | | Crime | | Faith | | Food | | Good News | | Health | | Help Wanted | History | | Homes | | Local Sports | | Lottery | | Movies | | National | | New England | | Politics | | Shopping & Deals | | SHOWTIME! | | TV & Streaming | | Weather