Two Springfield Men Indicted on Federal Firearms and Drug Charges

BOSTON -  Two Springfield men were charged today in federal court in Springfield with federal drug and firearms offenses.

Alexis Ayala, 40, and Wilfredo Perez, 38, were each charged with one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute heroin.  Ayala was also charged with two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to court documents, in April 2015, Perez and Ayala distributed heroin in Hampden County, and in December 2015 and August 2016, Ayala, a previously convicted felon, was found in possession of a firearm.

The charge of distributing heroin provides for a sentence of no greater than 30 years in prison, a minimum of three years of supervised release and a fine of $1 million.  The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb; Mickey D. Leadingham, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; Colonel Richard D. McKeon, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Springfield Police Commissioner John Barbieri; and Holyoke Police Chief James Neiswanger made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil L. Desroches of Weinreb’s Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the case.

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