PHILADELPHIA, PA — Luis Algarin-Torres a 34-year-old resident of Philadelphia, has been handed down a staggering 622-month prison sentence, equivalent to more than 51 years, for his criminal enterprises involving narcotics distribution and illegal firearms possession. The sentence was delivered Thursday by United States District Judge Paul S. Diamond, followed by an order for six years of supervised release.
The saga began on March 10, 2018, when agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) raided Algarin-Torres’s residence on the 4000 block of North Reese Street. In a scene straight out of a Hollywood movie, agents discovered a secret compartment above the kitchen’s ceiling light fixture. Hidden within this clandestine nook were over $28,000 in cash, 34 grams of cocaine, and a loaded firearm altered to unleash automatic fire.
Algarin-Torres, prior to his trial, admitted guilt to several drug-related offenses, including his intent to distribute the 34 grams of cocaine found in his home. However, he pleaded not guilty to two charges related to his possession of the modified firearm.
The plot thickened as the case proceeded to a three-day trial on March 31, 2023, focusing on the gun charges. The jury, after deliberation, convicted Algarin-Torres of possessing a firearm in order to advance his drug trafficking activities and of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Furthermore, they confirmed the automatic modification of the weapon. Adding a sinister layer to his crimes, evidence presented during the trial revealed Algarin-Torres’s attempt to orchestrate the assassination of a witness poised to testify against him.
U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero did not mince words when commenting on the severity of Algarin-Torres’s actions and his subsequent punishment. She labeled him as a “career offender” and a significant threat to public safety, emphasizing his role in perpetuating drug-related harm within Philadelphia and his nefarious efforts to silence a witness through murder.
Thomas Hodnett, the DEA’s Special Agent in Charge, echoed Romero’s sentiments, highlighting the grave concern surrounding Algarin-Torres’s attempted witness murder on top of his drug and firearms violations. Hodnett’s statement served as a stern warning to others contemplating similar acts of intimidation or violence against witnesses, underscoring the federal court’s commitment to imposing harsh penalties on such offenders.
The case was investigated by the DEA and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David J. Ignall and Meghan E. Claiborne, marking a significant victory for law enforcement agencies in their ongoing battle against drug trafficking and violent crime in Philadelphia.
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