News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 28, 2003

Federal Jury Convicts Wilmington Man of Heroin Distribution

JUL 28--Boston, Ma……A Wilmington, Massachusetts man was convicted Thursday, July 24, 2003, by a federal jury on drug charges in connection with his heroin trafficking in the areas of Wilmington, Methuen, and Lawrence, Massachusetts.

Mark R. Trouville, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration in New England; Wilmington Police Chief Bernard Nally; and United States Attorney Michael J. Sullivan announced that Brian MORAN, age 20, of Wilmington, Massachusetts, was convicted by a trial jury sitting before U.S. District Judge Robert E. Keeton for his role in the distribution of heroin and aiding and abetting the distribution of heroin on February 4, 2002.

Evidence presented during the trial proved that on February 8, 2002, the Wilmington Police Department responded to a 9-1-1 call that there was a deceased male, later identified as Mathew Lessard, who was believed to have been dead for 48 hours or more. A hypodermic needle was found on Lessard's abdomen and several small plastic bags marked with the logo "top dog" were found near him. Each of these bags contained heroin residue. There is evidence that the "top dog" bags are linked to the February 4, 2002, distribution of heroin that MORAN is now convicted of aiding and abetting.

Judge Keeton scheduled sentencing for September 17, 2003. MORAN faces a mandatory 20 year prison sentence if Judge Keeton finds at the time of sentencing that MORAN's heroin distribution resulted in the death of Matthew Lessard. MORAN also faces a $1 million fine and a 3 year life term of supervised release following any term of imprisonment that he may serve.

The case was investigated by the Wilmington Police Department and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

Press Contact: Anthony J. Pettigrew, (617) 557-2138