U.S. Attorney Emily Gray Rice.
A former Methuen man, indicted last fall in New Hampshire along with several Haverhill residents, pleaded guilty last week to drug dealing charges in U.S. District Court, Concord.
Justin Bartimus, 35, formerly of Methuen, pleaded guilty May 4, 2016 to conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, oxycodone and cocaine and distribution of oxycodone, U.S. Attorney Emily Gray Rice said Friday. Bartimus appeared before Judge Steven J. McAuliffe to enter his guilty plea.
According to court documents and statements in the plea proceeding, Bartimus admitted he sold oxycodone to a cooperating individual in Haverhill and Methuen, and Salem, N.H. He also admitted that he participated in the distribution of cocaine and oxycodone with others individuals. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for August 30, 2016.
Bartimus is one of six individuals indicted by a federal grand jury Sept. 23, and charged with conspiracy to distribute, and possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute. The other defendants are Mara Morillo, 40; Franklyn Morillo, 41; Juan Rojas, 31; and Jorge Medina, 25, all of Haverhill, and Michael Lally, 28, of Salem, N.H..
Rojas also was charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and conspiracy to possess a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence in a separate indictment. Lally pleaded guilty March 22. His sentencing is scheduled for June 29. The remaining defendants in the drug conspiracy case are scheduled for trial Sept 20.
The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Tactical Diversion Squad led the investigation with assistance from the Haverhill Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. Farley.