Worcester Man Involved In NY To Worcester Drug Conspiracy: DA

WORCESTER, MA — A Worcester man pleaded guilty in federal court last week to his role in a heroin and cocaine conspiracy. Vito Nuzzolilo, 46, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and more than 100 grams of heroin.

Nuzzolilo distributed heroin and cocaine from his apartment in Worcester and from a separate “band room” that he had in Worcester, according to court documents. A federal wiretap showed several communications in which Nuzzolilo coordinated the sale of heroin or cocaine to various drug customers. Nuzzolilo planned deliveries of large quantities of heroin and cocaine from New York to Worcester, according to the office of the U.S. Attorney.

Investigators found drugs in Nuzzolilo’s band room, his BMW, and in a car driving cocaine from Nuzzolilo’s apartment to Maine.

Four other individuals have pleaded guilty and been sentenced in this drug conspiracy. In February 2019, Ricardo Ortega-Vasquez, 42, a Dominican national residing in New York City, was sentenced to time served (approximately 23 months in prison). In November 2018, Thomas Walker of Pemaquid, Maine, was sentenced to 30 months in prison. In September 2018, Melissa Rock, also of Pemaquid, Maine, was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day in prison. And in June 2018, Kristen Little of Worcester was sentenced to 30 months in prison.

Due to the quantity of heroin involved in this case and to a prior conviction for cocaine trafficking, Nuzzolilo faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, a minimum of eight years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $8 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.