Holyoke Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing Heroin and Crack Cocaine
BOSTON – A Holyoke man pleaded guilty on Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022 in federal court in Springfield to distributing heroin and cocaine base (crack cocaine).
Ronny Authier, 23, pleaded guilty to two counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute heroin and one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine base. U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni scheduled sentencing for April 21, 2022. Authier was indicted in November 2019.
On two occasions in September 2019, Authier distributed a total of approximately 12 grams of heroin to an undercover agent. On a third occasion in September 2019, Authier also sold the agent approximately 24 grams of crack cocaine.
The charges of distribution and possession with intent to distribute heroin each provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. The charge of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine base provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentences are imposed based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Office; Springfield Police Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood; and Holyoke Police Chief David Pratt made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil L. Desroches of Mendell’s Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
