Puerto Rican Man Pleads Guilty To Cocaine Charge Publisher: U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of New York Byline: Barbara Burns Dateline: Rochester, New York Date: 3 May 2023 Subjects: American Government , Crime Topic: Interstate Highway System

ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Michael Almonte Diaz, 30, of Puerto Rico, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine, before U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassie Kocher, who is handling the case, stated that on August 2, 2022, Diaz and another individual were transporting approximately 504 grams of cocaine from Rochester, eastbound on Interstate 90. The New York State Police conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle in the area of Exit 41 in Seneca County. The cocaine was concealed in a birthday gift-wrapped package. Officers also recovered $18,511 in United States currency.

The plea is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino and the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Brian Ratajczak.         

Sentencing is scheduled for August 8, 2023, at 9:15 a.m. before Judge Siragusa.

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Updated May 3, 2023