Mass. drug suspect faces change of plea hearing

WORCESTER, Mass. -- The reputed ringleader of a Massachusetts drug distribution ring is scheduled to appear in federal court where he is expected to plead guilty.

A change of plea hearing for William Guivas of Oxford is scheduled for U.S. District Court in Worcester on Monday.

The 28-year-old Guivas is the only one of the eight people swept up in a roundup in November 2007 not to have pleaded guilty already.

Guivas is charged with conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute and conspiracy to distribute cocaine powder and cocaine base. Other charges include possession with intent to distribute and distribution of cocaine base.

His lawyer tells The Telegram & Gazette that Guivas does not have a plea agreement.

He faces a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison.

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