Eleven Indicted in Trans-National Methamphetamine Trafficking Ring

BOSTON – Eleven men have been indicted in connection with a large-scale methamphetamine trafficking and money laundering ring operating between Massachusetts and California.

Eleven men from Massachusetts and California were indicted on offenses including conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine; distribution of methamphetamine; possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute; and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments:

• Jesse Gillis, 31, of Boston;
• James Giannetta, 61, of Quincy;
• Christopher Halfond, 35, of Carlsbad, Calif.;
• Matthew Metz, 41, of Boston;
• Steven Beadles, 58, of Chelsea;
• Russell Ormiston, 50, of Chelsea;
• Jorge Grandon, 47, of Boston;
• Mario Castro, 48, of Boston;
• Jeffrey Carlo, 28, of Dorchester;
• Bruce Reisman, 57, of Boston; and
• Daniel Ponce, 38, of Boston.

   

The indictment alleges that beginning in at least 2013 and continuing to November 2016, Gillis, Giannetta, and their co-defendants participated in a conspiracy to transport significant quantities of methamphetamine from San Diego, Calif., to Massachusetts, where it was distributed in the greater Boston area.  Proceeds from the sale of that methamphetamine were then transported and/or transferred back to California and laundered in various ways.  

The charges of distribution, possession with intent to distribute, and conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine each provide for a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years and up to a lifetime in prison, a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of $10 million.  The charges of distribution, possession with intent to distribute, and conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a quantity of methamphetamine provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of $1 million.  The charge of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $500,000 or twice the value of the funds involved, whichever is greater.  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; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Michael J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Boston Field Division; Joel P. Garland, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston; William Ferrara, Director of Field Operations of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Colonel Richard D. McKeon, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Boston Police Commissioner William Evans, made the announcement today.  The Massachusetts Department of Correction; Norfolk County Sherriff’s Office; Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office; Reading, Watertown, Quincy, Chelsea, Braintree, Peabody, Waltham, and Woburn Police Departments; and Connecticut State Police assisted with the investigation.  Karen Beausey of Ortiz’s Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.

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.