Springfield Man Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl Trafficking

BOSTON - A Springfield, Mass. man has pleaded guilty to distributing and conspiring to distribute fentanyl.

Emilio Garcia-Cappas, 29, pleaded guilty on April 17, 2026 to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and one count of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni scheduled sentencing for July 29, 2026. The defendant was indicted by a federal grand jury in April 2024.

Between Feb. 5, 2024 and Feb. 22, 2024, Garcia-Cappas conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl. On Feb. 12, 2024, Garcia-Cappas distributed and possessed with intent to distribute fentanyl. On three separate occasions, undercover law enforcement purchased fentanyl from Garcia-Cappas and his co-conspirators.

The charges of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl provides for a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, at least six years of supervised release and a fine of up to $2 million. The charge of distributing and possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl provides for a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, at least six years of supervised release and a fine of up to $2 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Todd E. Newhouse and Thomas A. Barnico, Jr. of the Springfield Branch Office are prosecuting the case.