New Bedford Man Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Role in Cocaine Conspiracy

A New Bedford man was sentenced Thursday in federal court in Boston for his role in a cocaine trafficking conspiracy.

Jason Valliere, 43, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to five years in prison and four years of supervised release. On March 26, 2021, Valliere pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

In October 2020, Valliere was charged along with three co-conspirators for negotiating and coordinating a multi-kilogram cocaine deal with undercover agents. Initially, Valliere sought to negotiate for 10 kilograms of cocaine by offering cash as well as armed manpower (his co-conspirators). Subsequent renegotiations ultimately resulted in the deal of at least one and up to three kilograms of cocaine. At the time of Valliere’s arrest, law enforcement recovered a loaded firearm that was concealed in a compartment in Valliere’s car. The firearm matched a description that Valliere previously had given to undercovers of a gun he could bring to the anticipated drug deal.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Joseph R. Bonavolanta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Suffolk County Sheriff Steven W. Tompkins; Bristol County Sheriff Thomas M. Hodgson; Boston Police Acting Commissioner Gregory Long; Brockton Police Chief Emanuel Gomes; Bridgewater Police Chief Christopher D. Delmonte; East Bridgewater Police Chief Paul O’Brien; and Westport Police Chief Keith Pelletier made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Fall River Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kaitlin O’Donnell of Mendell’s Organized Crime and Gang Unit prosecuted the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.