New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
A motor vehicle stop on Friday night at about 8:00 p.m. on Hampshire Street in Lawrence led to the arrest of three men on gun and drug charges.
Members of the Troop A Community Action Team observed a 2007 Hyundai Sonata traveling on Hampshire Street with an inspection sticker violation and an inoperable brake light. When they effected a motor vehicle stop, two passengers immediately exited the vehicle and began to walk away. They were ordered back into the vehicle and complied.
While conversing with the occupants, the troopers observed an open container of alcohol in the vehicle. One of the passengers, ELVIS ADIEL TRUJILLO, 21 of Lawrence, exhibited furtive movements, causing one of the troopers concern for his safety. The troopers ordered TRUJILLO, the driver, JOSE RODRIGUEZ-HERERA, 23, of Lawrence, and the other passenger, ROBERT SEVERINO, 19, out of the vehicle. A search of the area where TRUJILLO was reaching produced a loaded Smith and Wesson .38 Special revolver. None of the occupants possessed a license to carry firearms or ammunition. Additionally, troopers located more than 11 grams of a substance believed to be fentanyl on TRUJILLO’s person.
All three men were placed under arrest on the following charges:
1. Unlawful possession of a firearm
2. Possession of ammunition without an FID card
TRUJILLO was additionally charged with:
1. Trafficking in fentanyl
2. Possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony
3. Possession of an open container of alcohol
RODRIGUEZ-HERERA was additionally cited for an inspection sticker violation and a brake light violation.
Bail was set at $100,000.00 for RODRIGUEZ-HERERA and TRUJILLO, and $25,000.00 for SEVERINO. All three were transported to the Middleton House of Correction pending bail or arraignment in Lawrence District Court on Monday.
