BOSTON - A Lowell man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to distributing fentanyl and cocaine base (crack cocaine).

Gino Hem, 34, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base; one count of possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base; and three counts of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, including fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns scheduled sentencing for Sep. 30, 2026. The defendant was arrested and charged in October 2025 and has remained in federal custody since.

On four separate occasions between July 14, 2025 and Oct. 3, 2025, Hem met cooperating witnesses and an undercover officer in Lowell to sell them crack cocaine and fentanyl. Hem filled orders from the cooperating witnesses and undercover officer for "fingers" of "brown," i.e., fentanyl, and quantities of "hard," i.e., cocaine base.

On a fifth date, on Oct. 22, 2025, the undercover officer ordered two ounces of "hard" from Hem. He was taken into custody upon arriving at the agreed upon drug deal location. During a search of his person, more than two ounces (53 grams) of cocaine base were found hidden inside Hem's underwear.

The charges of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base provide for a sentence of at least five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $5 million. The charge of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Fred M. Wyshak, III of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.