Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

ALBANY, N.Y. — Bernardo Tovar, 34, of Amsterdam, New York, pled guilty today to a drug trafficking conspiracy; possessing and intending to distribute fentanyl pills, cocaine and methamphetamine; and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

U.S. Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, New York Division; and John B. DeVito, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, made the announcement.

Tovar admitted that from May 2022 to December 2022, he conspired to distribute counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl, as well as cocaine and methamphetamine. Tovar admitted that the combined amount of fentanyl that he distributed exceeded 160 grams. Tovar, who has a prior violent felony conviction for attempted robbery, also admitted to possessing fentanyl pills, cocaine and methamphetamine, as well as a loaded handgun in his apartment to protect his drugs and drug proceeds, on Dec. 7, 2022, when his apartment was searched.

Sentencing is scheduled for March 20, 2024, before Chief U.S. District Judge Brenda K. Sannes, at which time Tovar faces at least 15 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $8 million, and a term of supervised release of at least eight years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

The DEA and ATF investigated this case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander P. Wentworth-Ping is prosecuting the case.

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