A former Worcester resident associated with the Eastside gang was sentenced in federal court for firearms offenses and cocaine distribution. Juan Otero, 23, also known as “Nene” or “Blockz,” received a sentence of 72 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman delivered the sentence.
Otero pleaded guilty in February 2025 to several charges, including dealing in firearms without a license, receiving a firearm while under indictment, possession of a machinegun, and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. The federal grand jury indicted him in March 2024.
In August 2023, a cooperating witness contacted Otero through Snapchat to purchase cocaine. Otero sold the witness 14 grams of cocaine on two occasions in November and December 2023. Before the second sale, he also sold the witness a Taurus pistol with an obliterated serial number.
In January 2025, over twelve days, Otero sold four more firearms to the cooperating witnesses: a Colt MK IV Series pistol on January 11; a Walther PPK pistol and Ruger revolver on January 17; and a Glock pistol with machinegun conversion on January 23.
Otero offered additional firearms for sale but did not complete these transactions. At the time of his offenses, he was awaiting trial for state firearm charges dating back to an indictment in Worcester Superior Court in 2022.
The case announcement came from United States Attorney Leah B. Foley along with officials from various law enforcement agencies involved. The investigation received support from multiple police departments and is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), aiming to reduce gun violence and improve community safety.
For further information about PSN’s crime reduction strategies focused on trust-building and strategic enforcement priorities, visit https://www.justice.gov/PSN.
