John McCarthy
CHARLOTTE AMALIE – A native of the Dominican Republic was arrested Monday on federal charges for allegedly trying to mail himself 17.5 ounces of cocaine.
Domingo Diaz, 40, was told in U.S. District Court that he was charged with possession with the intent to distribute cocaine and attempted possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, U.S. Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert said.
Diaz made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ruth Miller.
According, to the information, Diaz was involved in the mailing of two packages through the U.S. post office packages that each contained more than 500 grams of cocaine, a controlled substance.
If convicted of either possession with the intent to distribute cocaine or attempted possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, Diaz faces a minimum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each count.
United States Attorney Shappert reminds the public that an information is merely a formal charging document and is not evidence of guilt.
Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The case is being investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
and prosecuted by Assistant United States
Attorney Sigrid M. Tejo-Sprotte.
