FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2009
WWW.USDOJ.GOV/USAO/MA
CONTACT: CHRISTINA DiIORIO-STERLING
PHONE: (617)748-3356
E-MAIL: USAMA.MEDIA@USDOJ.GOV
SPRINGFIELD MAN CHARGED WITH GUN AND DRUG CRIMES
BOSTON, MA - A Springfield, MA man was charged today in federal court with unlawful firearms dealing, possessing a firearm after a felony conviction, and possession with the intent to distribute and distribution of heroin and cocaine.
Acting United States Attorney Michael K. Loucks; Glenn N. Anderson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Boston Field Division; Colonel Mark F. Delaney, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Commissioner William Fitchet of the Springfield Police Department, announced today that ANGEL ORTIZ, age 33, of 21 Chapel Street, Springfield, MA, was charged in an Indictment with unlawful firearms dealing, possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, and possession with the intent to distribute and distribution of heroin and cocaine.
The Indictment alleges that between approximately September 10, 2009, and October 21, 2009, ORTIZ engaged in the business of dealing in firearms without a license. The Indictment also alleges that ORTIZ, who had been previously convicted of a felony, possessed various firearms and ammunition on September 10, 18, and 29, 2009 and on October 21, 2009. Lastly, the Indictment alleges that on September 10, 11, 15, 17, and 29, 2009 and October 5, 13, 19, and 21, 2009, ORTIZ possessed with the intent to distribute, or distributed, quantities of heroin and cocaine.
If convicted on these charges, ORTIZ faces up to thirty years imprisonment, to be followed by five years of supervised release, and a $2,000,000.00 fine.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Massachusetts State Police, and the Springfield Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven H. Breslow of Loucks’ Springfield Branch Office.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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