Two Superseding Indictments Charge Six in Lawrence Federal Drug Sweep with Additional Offenses

BOSTON – Six defendants involved in a May 2017 federal drug sweep in Lawrence were charged yesterday in federal court in Boston with additional drug and firearms offenses.

The individuals were arrested in May 2017 along with approximately 25 co-defendants. After a year-long investigation aimed at attacking the fentanyl and heroin crisis in Lawrence and surrounding areas, more than 200 federal, state and local law enforcement officers conducted a drug sweep to dismantle two Lawrence-based drug trafficking organizations; one allegedly run by Juan Anibal Patrone, and another allegedly led by Santo Ramon Gonzalez-Nival, who was also a source of supply for Patrone. The separate superseding indictments pertain to the two drug trafficking organizations.

Two members of the Patrone organization were charged with additional offenses. Juan Anibal Patrone, 27, and Josuel Moises Patrone Gonzalez, 22, both dual Dominican and Italian citizens, were each charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, and 400 grams or greater of fentanyl. Juan Anibal Patrone was also charged with one count of being an alien in possession of a firearm. During a search of Juan Anibal Patrone’s home, agents found a 10mm Auto-Ordnance Corp, loaded with a magazine containing six 10mm rounds of ammunition.

Four members of the Gonzalez-Nival organization were charged with additional offenses. Ramon Gonzalez Nival, 40, and Julio Baez Gonzalez, 34, both Dominican nationals, were each charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, and 400 grams or greater of fentanyl.  Baez Gonzalez, who was previously charged with being an alien in possession of a firearm, is charged with an additional count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Bernaldo Rosario Santiago, 25, of Lowell, and Diosmary Burgos, 39, a Dominican national, were each charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, and 40 grams or greater of fentanyl. 

The charge of conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or greater of fentanyl provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, a minimum of five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $20 million. The charge of conspiracy to distribute 40 grams or greater of fentanyl provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 40 years in prison, a minimum of four years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of $5 million. The charge of being an alien 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 up to $250,000.  The charge of using a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime provides for a minimum sentence of five years in prison to be served consecutive to any sentence imposed for additional charges.  

Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb; Michal J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division; and Matthew J. Etre, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today. The DEA Cross Border Initiative comprised of the DEA and the Andover, Haverhill, Lawrence, Lowell, and Wilmington Police Departments, conducted the investigation jointly with the Massachusetts State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan Winkler of Weinreb’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the cases.

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.