United States Postal Service worker John Noviello was sentenced by a U.S. District Court Judge on Wednesday for attempting to bribe a supervisor and sell them cocaine.
Noviello, who worked in Lowell and is from Nashua, was sentenced to one day in prison and three years of supervised release, with nine months spent in home detention, according to U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins’ office.
On Feb. 15, 2022, Noviello approached a U.S. Postal supervisor asking for their help in a scheme to divert packages believed to contain cocaine. Rollins’ office said he offered to pay the supervisor $1,750 per kilogram of cocaine successfully obtained from any diverted packages. Two days later, Noviello left $850 in cash within a Dunkin’ bag, MassLive previously reported, later telling the supervisor “that was a nice envelope for starters.”
Noviello put the bag inside the supervisor’s vehicle as a way to encourage the supervisor to follow along in his scheme, Rollins’ office said. He told the supervisor he was running the same scheme with another supervisor for 15 years and that “he pays for his second home with money from the scheme,” MassLive previously reported.
The supervisor contacted authorities and conducted a controlled purchase from Noviello, Rollins’ office said. Noviellod distributed approximately 3.7 grams of cocaine for $200 during the purchase. While recording, the supervisor told Noviello he was worried about “getting involved where a recipient may eventually receive an empty box without drugs in it,” court documents read.
“You know how many times I’ve had f--- five gang members at the door? And it’s an empty package I give them, you know how many times I’ve done that? Like f---- 30 times,” Noviello said, according to court documents.
Noviello was charged on May 11, 2022. On Nov. 1, 2022, he pleaded guilty to one count of bribery of a public official and one count of distribution of cocaine.