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8 charged in Worcester drug, gun trafficking case

  • Posted by Worcester News Jun 1 - Filed in News - #Worcester  #guns  #crime  #drugs  #U.S. Attorney  - 1,531 views


    Photos from U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts

    8 people have been charged in federal court for their alleged roles in a drug and gun trafficking conspiracy that operated in and around Worcester, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Massachusetts.

    Federal authorities said the defendants were arrested and appeared Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Worcester. They were held pending further proceedings.

    Those charged are Worcester residents Osiris Berry-Vazquez, 23; Fendy Martinez, 35; Luis Muniz, 33; Luis Dick Rivera, 39; Fernando Valentin-Perez, 45; Omar Ramos-Jimenez, 27; and Onix Aviles, 25, along with Alisa Walsh, 34, of Oakham.

    According to charging documents, Walsh, Berry-Vazquez, Martinez, Muniz, Dick Rivera and Valentin-Perez allegedly sold cocaine, crack cocaine and fentanyl to undercover law enforcement officers and confidential informants in and around Worcester between March and April.

    Prosecutors allege Berry-Vazquez, Muniz and Martinez participated in controlled substance transactions during the investigation. Walsh, Dick Rivera and Valentin-Perez were each charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.

    Martinez was additionally charged with possession with intent to distribute and distribution of a controlled substance. Berry-Vazquez and Muniz were charged with distribution of controlled substances.

    Authorities also allege that Aviles sold firearms without a license twice, including a privately manufactured gun. Ramos-Jimenez is accused of selling multiple guns and fentanyl to confidential informants in Worcester. Both men were charged with dealing in guns without a license, while Ramos-Jimenez also faces a drug distribution charge.

    The conspiracy and drug distribution charges carry potential penalties of up to 20 years in prison, while the possession with intent to distribute charge against Martinez carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. The gun dealing charge carries a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison.

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