Two Pennsylvania men were sentenced in federal court on Wednesday for their roles in a large-scale drug trafficking operation that disseminated cocaine throughout Western Pennsylvania and Youngstown, Ohio.
United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan stated that Senior United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab sentenced Luciano Bratini Rivera, 37, and Markus Hobel, 35, both of New Castle. Rivera was sentenced to 97 months in prison, followed by four years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and multiple counts of cocaine distribution.
Hobel was sentenced to 72 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute cocaine and employing a firearm in the commission of a narcotics trafficking felony.
The defendants were among 17 people accused in March 2024 of breaching federal drug, gun, and racketeering laws. Prosecutors provided evidence indicating that Rivera cooperated closely with drug trafficking group head Daniel Feliciano to transport kilograms of cocaine from a supplier in Puerto Rico.
Rivera supplied the pills to co-conspirators, including Hobel, for resale in New Castle, Ellwood City, and across Lawrence County.
Rivera was related to at least five kilograms of cocaine and held narcotics proceeds for Feliciano, including more than $11,000 confiscated during his arrest. He also made several trips to Philadelphia to swap cash for further kilograms of cocaine, obtaining at least six kilograms between late 2023 and early 2024.
Hobel, Feliciano’s bodyguard, was tasked with safeguarding the organization’s drugs, profits, and employees. Hobel was discovered to have carried firearms, including a pistol and rifle, as part of the drug trafficking conspiracy. Evidence revealed that he patrolled Feliciano’s property with weapons to protect the operation.
Assistant United States Attorney Carl J. Spindler prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Lawrence County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Drug Task Force. The United States Postal Inspection Service, New Castle Police Department, Ellwood City Police Department, FBI, and some other federal, state, and local agencies assisted with the investigation.
“This case underscores our commitment to dismantling dangerous drug networks and holding those involved accountable,” Olshan said in a statement. “Through coordinated efforts, we are making significant strides in keeping our communities safe.”
Reference: Two Men Sentenced After Flooding Cocaine Into Pennsylvania And Ohio