Ten Indicted, Charged with Drug and Firearm Offenses

BOSTON, MA—Seven men were arrested today and charged in federal court with gun and drug offenses, as part of an ongoing investigation into criminal activity by alleged gang members and associates in Boston and Chelsea. Three additional men charged in this investigation were already in state custody on other charges.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz and Richard DesLauriers, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation of the Boston Field Division, announced today the following defendants were named in federal indictments:

JERRY CARRASQUILLO, a/ka/ King Project, 26, of Boston, is charged with one count each of dealing in firearms and felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. The maximum applicable penalties upon conviction are 10 years’ imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.

MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ, a/k/a Mizz Rock, 33, of Chelsea; VIDALITO MERCADO, a/k/a King Fido, 23, of East Boston; FELIX GONZALEZ, a/k/a Tio, 51, of So. Hamilton, are charged with distribution of cocaine base (Rodriguez), felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition (all defendants in seven separate counts), and dealing in firearms (all). Upon conviction of the most serious charge, the defendants face the following maximum penalties: RODRIGUEZ - 10 years to life imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release and a $4 million fine; MERCADO - 10 years’ imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. He is also charged with felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. The maximum penalties upon conviction are 10 years’ imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine; GONZALEZ - life imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.

RAFAEL CORTES, a/k/a Rafael Bonet, a/k/a King Red, 35, of Boston, is charged with distribution of heroin. The maximum penalties upon conviction are 20 years’ imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release and a $1 million fine.

GAMALIEL BADILLO, a/k/a Gammy, 19, of Revere, is charged with distribution of cocaine base. The maximum penalties upon conviction are 10 years to life imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release and $4 million fine.

ROBERT SUTTON, a/k/a Black Rob, 25, of Chelsea, is charged with distribution of cocaine base. The maximum penalties upon conviction are 10 years to life imprisonment followed by five years supervised release and a $4 million fine.

BENITO MALAVEJE, a/k/a Manny Navarro, 38, of Dorchester, is charged with distribution of heroin. The maximum penalties upon conviction are 20 years’ imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release and a $1 million fine. Malaveje is currently in state custody in Florida.

JUAN OMI VELAZQUEZ, a/k/a Cyclops, 28, Dorchester and JACK WESTBROOKS, a/k/a J-Lo, 26, of Revere, are charged with felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. The maximum penalties upon conviction are 10 years’ imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Massachusetts Department of Corrections, Massachusetts State Police, Suffolk District Attorney’s Office, and the Boston, Chelsea, Quincy, Randolph, Lynn, Malden and Revere Police Departments. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Theodore B. Heinrich of Ortiz's Organized Drug Enforcement Task Force Unit.

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.