A Westfield man was arrested for firearm, ammunition, and marijuana charges yesterday morning after Troopers and local police executed a search warrant at his home, the result of a joint investigation by the State Police Gang Unit and the State Police-Springfield Barracks.

Troopers and local officers apprehended DEMETRIUS CABALLERO, 18, after serving the warrant at his Rider Road residence. The warrant team was comprised of Troopers from the State Police Gang Unit, Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section, K9 Unit, and Springfield Barracks, assisted by Westfield Police and members of the Western Massachusetts Gang Task Force.

Investigators seized a large quantity of marijuana, both as vegetable matter and numerous edible products, as well as Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) vape cartridges and other products. THC is the main psychoactive compound in cannabis. Paraphernalia associated with the sale of narcotics, including a digital scale and calibration weights, were also found.

Police also located and seized an illegally-possessed Smith & Wesson AR-15 rifle with a loaded 30-round magazine inserted, an illegally-possessed Glock 42 pistol with a loaded magazine, and assorted ammunition. Troopers also seized $2,201 cash suspected to be the proceeds of illicit drug distribution.

The search warrant and arrest were the result of an investigation begun by Trooper Dane Jobst, assigned to the Springfield Barracks, who had made several previous motor vehicle stops that led to intelligence about CABALLERO’s drug dealing. Further information was developed through the assistance of Connecticut State Police.

Following CABALLERO’s arrest, Troopers transported him to the State Police-Westfield Barracks, where he was booked on the following charges:

1. Possession of a Class D substance with intent to distribute;
2. Possession of a Class C substance with intent to distribute (2 counts);
3. Illegal possession of a firearm (2 counts);
4. Illegal possession of ammunition;
5. Possession of a high-capacity feeding device; and
6. Possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

After being booked, CABALLERO was transported to the Hampden County House of Corrections to be held pending arraignment.

A Dominican national was sentenced today for unlawful re-entry of a deported alien. After reentering the United States within months of being removed, the defendant was charged with a heroin-related offense and was in possession of a phone that had been used in a drug transaction with an individual who died of an apparent overdose.

Joel Perez Matos, 35, who resided in Boston, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to 48 months in prison and three years of supervised release. In August 2020, Matos pleaded guilty to unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported. He has been detained since his arrest in April 2020 and will be subject to deportation following his sentence.

Perez Matos unlawfully re-entered the United States after being deported in December 2019. He had previously been removed in February 2016, and had unlawfully returned to the United States later that year.

On March 22, 2020, within a few months of having been removed from the United States, Perez Matos was arrested by local law enforcement in Stow and charged with a heroin-related offense. At the time of his arrest, Perez Matos was in possession of a cell phone that had been used the previous day to set up a drug transaction with a Massachusetts resident. On March 22, 2020, that resident died of an apparent drug overdose. When arrested, Perez Matos presented police with an out-of-state driver’s license in a fake name.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Todd Lyons, Field Office Director, Enforcement and Removal Operations, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Boston, made the announcement today. The Stow Police Department also provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Abely, Chief of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit, prosecuted the case.

A New Bedford man was indicted Thursday by a federal grand jury with illegally possessing three firearms and ammunition.

Jose Montanez, 23, was indicted on one count of possessing a firearm and ammunition while being a convicted felon. Montanez will make an appearance in federal court in Boston tomorrow.

According to the indictment, on or about July 20, 2020, Montanez possessed a Smith and Wesson .380 Bodyguard; an H&R .22 caliber revolver; a Springfield XD-40 .40 caliber handgun; 6 rounds of .380 ammunition; and 279 rounds of .22 caliber ammunition inside of a hotel room he was staying in.

The charge of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; and New Bedford Police Chief Joseph C. Cordeiro made the announcement today. Assistant United States Attorney Evan Gotlob of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

At approximately 10 p.m. on Wednesday Trooper Matthew DeVito, assigned to State Police-Andover, was on patrol traveling on Route 110 in Methuen. At that time he observed a Mercury van driving over a solid white lane marking. Trooper DeVito activated his cruiser’s blue lights and stopped the Mercury at the intersection of Route 93.

Upon the vehicle coming to a stop Trooper DeVito approached it and provided the operator, identified as KEVIN MCKINNON, 33, of Mattawamkeag, Maine, the reason of the stop. Trooper DeVito also noticed a bat and sledgehammer within reach of both occupants. While speaking to the passenger, identified as ROBERT DILL, 34, of Lincoln, Maine, DILL quickly reached toward the center console. Trooper DeVito immediately ordered him to place his hands on the dashboard then searched the area where DILL was reaching. Trooper DeVito located a large plastic bag containing multiple bags of a brown powder substance believed to be Fentanyl.

Trooper DeVito immediately placed both men under arrest and secured them in cruisers on scene. They were transported to the Andover Barracks for booking. The total weight of the suspected Fentanyl was 220 grams. They were scheduled for arraignment at Lawrence District Court on the following charges.

KEVIN MACKINNON:

1. Trafficking in Fentanyl; and
2. Marked Lanes Violation.

ROBERT DILL:
1. Trafficking in Fentanyl.

Troopers from the Massachusetts State Police Gang Unit, along with other Troopers and officers, on Tuesday afternoon arrested a known member of a Worcester gang for possession of heroin, and a short time later arrested one of his reputed gang associates and a young woman for unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Gang Unit Troopers, assisted by Troopers from the State Police-Leominster Barracks and Leominster officers, located STEPHON JONES, 33, of Fitchburg, inside the Whitney Field Mall in Leominster and arrested him on an outstanding assault warrant. Troopers found JONES to be in possession of a small quantity of heroin and more than $1,400 cash, suspected to be the proceeds of drug distribution, and also charged him with illegal possession of a Class A narcotic. JONES is a reputed member of the Providence Street Posse gang.

Troopers had previously observed another reputed Providence Street member, BENJAMIN ROSADO, 23, of Leominster, with JONES. A short time after JONES’ arrest, Troopers again observed ROSADO, this time standing outside the mall in a t-shirt despite the cold temperatures. LUCIA CARDOZO, 25, of Gardner, was observed holding ROSADO’s jacket and seemed to be trying to hide it. Following a threshold inquiry, Troopers searched the jacket and found a Colt pistol loaded with 10 rounds of ammunition. Neither ROSADO nor CARDOZO are licensed to carry a firearm, and both were arrested for illegal possession of the gun and ammunition.

The three in custody were transported to a barracks for booking.

A leader of the Rhode Island Chapter of the Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (“Latin Kings”) pleaded guilty today to conspiracy charges.

Joel Francisco, a/k/a “King Casper,” 42, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to distribute cocaine. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel scheduled sentencing for March 3, 2021. Francisco was arrested and charged in December 2019, at which time he was identified as a leader of the Rhode Island Chapter of the Latin Kings.

During the plea proceedings, Francisco admitted that in August 2019, he conspired with others to purchase cocaine from members of the Latin Kings in New Bedford for resale. On Sept. 4, 2019, Francisco was captured in a video recording purchasing approximately 186 grams of cocaine from members of the New Bedford Chapter in a deal facilitated by a co-conspirator.

The Latin Kings are a violent criminal enterprise comprised of thousands of members across the United States. The Latin Kings adhere to a national manifesto, employ an internal judiciary and use a sophisticated system of communication to maintain the hierarchy of the organization. As alleged in court documents, the gang uses drug distribution to generate revenue, and engages in violence against witnesses and rival gangs to further its influence and to protect its turf.

In December 2019, a federal grand jury returned an indictment alleging racketeering conspiracy, drug conspiracy and firearms charges against 62 leaders, members and associates of the Latin Kings. Joel Francisco is the 22nd defendant to plead guilty in the case.

The conspiracy charge provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, supervised release for a minimum of three years, up to life, and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Commissioner Carol Mici of the Massachusetts Department of Correction made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was also provided by the FBI North Shore Gang Task Force and the Bristol County and Suffolk County District Attorney’s Offices. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard and Mark Grady of Lelling’s Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

A 43-year-old New Bedford man who fled the state last month after being accused of statutory rape of a child was arrested on November 9 in Beaumont, Texas and will be returned to Massachusetts for arraignment on a yet to be determined date, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.

Marvin Pineda is currently facing charges in Massachusetts of statutory rape of a child and witness intimidation connected to an October 11th incident that occurred at a Mohawk Court home.

The defendant is accused of entering a young girl’s bedroom and digitally raping her. He is further accused of attempting to intimidate the alleged victim’s family into not pursuing criminal charges against him. The incident allegedly occurred during the early morning hours of October 11th while the defendant was a guest at a house party.

After New Bedford Police made several attempts to locate the defendant, an arrest warrant was issued on October 26th. Investigators were able to track the defendant to Texas and on November 9th, Texas Rangers arrested the defendant without incident in the parking lot of the Traveller Inn in Beaumont, Texas.

The defendant has yet to appear in a Texas courtroom for a rendition hearing. Therefore, a date for his transport back to Massachusetts for arraignment has not been scheduled at this time. Once more information becomes available and an arraignment date has been set in New Bedford District Court, this office will send out a follow up media advisory.

“I am very pleased that the Texas Rangers, working with our office and our state police unit, apprehended the defendant after he fled to Texas to avoid prosecution. He will now have to answer for these very serious charges,” District Attorney Quinn said.

State Police Seeking Public’s Help in Finding Driver who Struck Pedestrian in Saugus and Fled Scene

The Massachusetts State Police are seeking the public’s help in identifying a hit-and-run driver who struck a pedestrian, causing serious injuries, this morning in Saugus.

The crash occurred at approximately 10:17 AM on Route 1 southbound at Route 99. The victim, a 24-year-old Gloucester man, suffered serious injuries and was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital.

Preliminary investigation by the State Police-Danvers Barracks indicates that the victim, who is employed by a business in that area, stepped into the roadway to retrieve a barrel that had blown onto the road.

After striking the victim the motorist did not stop and continued onto Route 99. We are seeking to locate the vehicle and driver.

The suspect vehicle is a white sedan, possibly a Nissan Sentra. The driver is believed to have been a white male.

The vehicle may have front-end damage and undercarriage damage.

A photo of the actual vehicle taken from a nearby camera is included with this release. (The vehicle we are seeking is the one on the highway, seen from the side).

Anyone who has seen this vehicle, or who has information about it or the driver, is urged to call the State Police-Danvers Barracks at 978-538-6161, or simply call 911.

A Brockton man was arrested today and charged with illegally possessing a Smith & Wesson, .40 caliber pistol and ammunition.

David Dardy, 31, was indicted on one count of possessing a firearm and ammunition while being a convicted felon. Dardy will make an appearance in federal court in Boston this afternoon.

According to charging documents, on or about Sept. 19, 2020, Dardy possessed a Smith & Wesson, .40 caliber pistol. The firearm was loaded with five rounds of .40 caliber “Federal 40 S&W” ammunition, five rounds of .40 caliber “Perfecta 40 S.W.” ammunition, two rounds of .40 caliber “PPU 40 S&W” ammunition and one round of .40 caliber “FC NR 40 S&W” ammunition.

The charge of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; and Boston Police Commissioner William Gross made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kaitlin R. O’Donnell of Lelling’s Organized Crime and Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

At approximately 1:20 a.m. on Sunday Trooper Jason Rami, assigned to State Police-Tunnels, was stationary observing traffic on Rutherford Ave in Charlestown. At that time he observed a Kia Forte missing a license plate then caught up to it and activated his blue lights to initiate a motor vehicle stop.

Upon the vehicle stopping Trooper Rami approached the driver’s side and identified the operator as DEJAH JENKINS-MINUS, 21, of Boston. Trooper Rami gathered her information and returned to his cruiser to conduct an electronic RMV inquiry. The results of the inquiry revealed the registration was revoked and the vehicle was uninsured. JENKINS-MINUS was informed her vehicle was going to be towed from the scene.

JENKINS-MINUS, along with her passenger, identified as LEONARD ROBINSON, 21, of Dorchester, were asked to exit the vehicle to facilitate a tow inventory prior to it being removed from the scene. During the inventory Trooper Rami located a loaded Walther PK .380 pistol on the floor in the passenger area. Neither occupant in the vehicle is licensed to carry firearms.

JENKINS-MINUS and ROBINSON were placed under arrest and transported to the Tunnels Barracks for booking. A bail commissioner was contacted and set bail at $10,000 for JENKINS-MINUS and $100,000 for ROBINSON. They were scheduled for arraignment at Charlestown District Court on the following offenses:

JENKINS-MINUS:

1. Unlawful Possession of a Firearm;
2. Carrying a Loaded Firearm;
3. Improper Storage of a Firearm;
4. Possession of Ammunition without FID Card;
5. Possession of Firearm without FID Card;
6. Operating Motor Vehicle with Revoked Registration;
7. Operating Uninsured Motor Vehicle; and
8. License Plate Violation.

LEONARD ROBINSON:

1. Unlawful Possession of a Firearm;
2. Carrying a Loaded Firearm;
3. Improper Storage of a Firearm;
4. Possession of a Firearm with Three Prior Violent Crime Convictions;
5. Possession of Ammunition without FID Card; and
6. Possession of Firearm without FID Card.