MA: Hyde Park Woman Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl Trafficking Conspiracy

A Hyde Park woman pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston to her role in a wide-ranging fentanyl trafficking conspiracy.

Erika Prado, 32 pleaded guilty on Aug. 17, 2023 to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley scheduled sentencing for Nov. 28, 2023. In December 2022, Prado was indicted along with three other co-conspirators. Prado pleaded guilty to a Superseding Information.

According to the charging documents, beginning in or around September 2022, Prado began to work for co-defendant Quenty Ogando –initially cleaning Ogando’s Mattapan apartment and allegedly later counting and packaging fentanyl pills that had been made at the apartment using a pill press. It is alleged that the pills, which Prado packaged for shipment, were often picked up at the apartment by other individuals.

On or about Nov. 22, 2022, a search of Ogando’s Mattapan apartment allegedly revealed over 20 kilograms of fentanyl pills in various colors, over 20 kilograms of loose fentanyl powder, numerous packages and mailing labels, three industrial grade pill presses as well as heroin and cocaine.

Prado’s co-defendants have pleaded not guilty and are pending trial.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Michael J. Krol, Acting Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations, in New England; and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division made the announcement today. The Boston Police Department, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Massachusetts State Police and United States Customs and Border Protection provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer Zacks and J. Mackenzie Duane of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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