Four Individuals Indicted on Drug Trafficking Charges

BOSTON – Four individuals involved in a Lawrence-based fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine trafficking organization were indicted yesterday in U.S. District Court in Boston.

Jerri Martinez-Tejeda, 31, of Lawrence; Yoelly Carmenatty, 27, of Lawrence; Joel Jahamal Rougeau, 41, of Texas; and Lily Solis, 28, of Texas; were indicted on one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine.  In July 2015, the defendants were initially charged in a criminal complaint.

According to court documents, in March 2014, an investigation into a drug trafficking organization operating in Massachusetts led law enforcement to Martinez-Tejeda.  In late May or early June 2015, Martinez-Tejeda allegedly hired Rougeau and Solis to pick up nine kilograms of narcotics in California and transport them to the Northeast.  On June 4, 2015, Oklahoma Highway Patrol intercepted Rougeau and Solis transporting nine kilograms of fentanyl to Martinez-Tejeda and his wife, Carmenatty, in Lawrence for distribution.

Based on evidence gathered from court authorized wire taps, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at the Lawrence residence of Martinez-Tejeda and Carmenatty on July 12, 2015.  During the search, law enforcement officers recovered $511,370 that was in the process of being counted and packaged, two handguns, various items for the processing and packaging of narcotics, and one kilogram of “cut,” a substance used to dilute the purity of heroin or other narcotics prior to sale.  Documents such as ledgers that appeared to be part of the drug trafficking operation were also recovered.

The charging statute provides a maximum sentence of lifetime in prison, a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of $10 million.  Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties.  Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz and Michael J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division, made the announcement today.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas E. Kanwit of Ortiz’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit.

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