Brothers from Youngstown indicted for their roles in conspiracy to obtain cocaine from Puerto Rico and sell the drugs in the Youngstown area

Two people from Youngstown were indicted in federal court for their alleged roles in a conspiracy to obtain large amounts of cocaine from Puerto Rico and sell the drugs in the Youngstown area.

Amaury Calderon Santiago, 27, and Felix Calderon Santiago, 29, were each indicted on one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

Amaury Calderon Santiago is also charged with two counts of distribution of cocaine while Felix Santiago is charged with one count of attempted possession with the intent to distribute cocaine.

According to the four-count indictment, Felix Santiago received cocaine from Puerto Rico, which he then provided to Amaury Santiago, who in turn sold the cocaine in the Youngstown area. This took place between May and June 2019, according to the indictment.

The Santiagos used a home on Bennington Avenue in Youngstown to receive and store the cocaine, according to the indictment.

Felix Santiago received and opened a package on June 11 that originally contained more than 500 grams of cocaine. On the same day, Amaury Santiago possessed $5,840 in cash and two loaded firearms, according to the indictment.

If convicted, the defendants’ sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendants’ prior criminal record, if any, the defendants’ role in the offenses and the characteristics of the violations.  In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.

The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by Drug Enforcement Administration and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Yasmine Makridis.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.