Leader of Violent City Drug Gang Convicted of All Charges

PHILADELPHIA—Alexander Rivera, a/k/a “Reds,” 29, and his wife, Ileana Vidal, a/k/a “Diana,” 25, both of Philadelphia, were convicted late yesterday of all charges against them stemming from a drug conspiracy involving the Alexander Rivera Narcotics Distribution Organization (“ARDO”), announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger. Between February 2006 and September 2010, Alexander Rivera, a/k/a “Reds,” ran the ARDO, and controlled drug distribution in and around the intersection of Indiana Avenue and Lawrence Street in North Philadelphia, as well as other areas in Philadelphia, obtaining cocaine, crack, heroin, and PCP that his co-defendants would then sell on the street. Rivera, his wife, and 15 others were charged with distributing 280 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack”), 500 grams or more of cocaine, heroin, and phencyclidine (“PCP”). The 15 co-defendants pleaded guilty to their roles in the operation. Rivera and his wife were tried in U.S. District Court.

Rivera and several co-defendants engaged in violence to protect and maintain the ARDO’s drug territory, which included vacant properties and residences in North Philadelphia used for stashing drugs and distribution to customers. The superseding indictment alleges that on September 26, 2006, while engaged in a shootout with a rival drug dealer, Rivera shot an innocent bystander; on August 14, 2007, co-defendant Daniel Cortez, along with two others known to the grand jury, kidnapped and tortured a person who owed Rivera drug money; and on December 24, 2009, Rivera and co-defendant Cesar Burgos hired a person known to the grand jury to shoot a rival drug dealer.

Rivera was convicted of conspiracy, and other counts charging him with distribution or possession with intent to distribute cocaine, cocaine base (“crack”), and heroin, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Vidal was convicted of conspiracy, the sole count against her.

Rivera faces a mandatory term of life in prison and will be formally sentenced on February 29, 2012 by U.S. District Court Judge Juan R. Sanchez; Vidal faces a mandatory term of 10 years in prison and will be sentenced March 2, 2012.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation - Philadelphia Division, Violent Gang Safe Streets Task Force, and the Philadelphia Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David Axelrod and Randy Hsia.