BOSTON – A Rockland man pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court in Boston to selling fentanyl and faces a possible life sentence, the U.S. attorney’s office said.
Ruben Depina, 24, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl; one count of distributing and possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl; and three counts of distributing and possessing with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl.
In May 2023, a law enforcement officer who had worked undercover received a call from Depina, who introduced himself as “Jake,” prosecutors said. Depina told the officer that he recently got out of jail and was contacting his best customers because he was selling drugs again.
In May and June 2023, Depina sold fentanyl to a confidential informant in exchange for cash, prosecutors said.
On June 11, 2023, local law enforcement officers In East Bridgewater saw a vehicle that Depina had used during the drug deals. Officers stopped the driver, who then sped away. The vehicle collided with a van at an intersection during a police pursuit.
Depina was removed through the passenger-side window and arrested.
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Officers searching the vehicle found a loaded firearm, cellphones, a digital scale and a satchel containing at least 20 grams of cocaine base, prosecutors said.
The next day, during a search of a home and loft connected to Depina, over 400 grams of fentanyl, cellphones, four firearms, ammunition, drug paraphernalia and paperwork in his name were seized.
U.S. District Court Judge Julia E. Kobick scheduled sentencing for Nov. 12. The charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of at least 10 years and up to life in prison.
