Manhattan Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing and Intending to Distribute Cocaine

ALBANY, NEW YORK - William De La Rosa, age 29, of New York, New York, pled guilty yesterday to possessing with intent to distribute one kilogram of cocaine.

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division, made the announcement.

De La Rosa admitted to driving to a hotel in Amsterdam, New York, on January 25, 2024, where he planned to distribute one kilogram of cocaine to another person. When he arrived, law enforcement searched his vehicle and discovered the cocaine.

De La Rosa faces at least 5 years and up to 40 years in prison, a fine of up to $5 million, and a term of post-release supervision of between 4 years and life, when United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci sentences him on August 16, 2024. 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 the Johnstown Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mikayla Espinosa is prosecuting the case.