December 19, 2023 -Springfield-  In the Summer of 2023 the High, School, and Union Streets area of Springfield erupted in a wave violence making this area one of the most dangerous areas in the City of Springfield.  From July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023 the Springfield Police Department received 118 Shot Spotter activations in this area, along with eighty-nine 9-1-1 calls for shots fired, forty-five reports filed for aggravated assault, and twenty-three 9-1-1 calls for someone in possession of a firearm.

Against this backdrop there has been two rival drug trafficking organizations engaged in a violent and deadly armed turf war looking to control the lucrative heroin/fentanyl and cocaine market in this area.  The violence in this area has resulted in numerous shootings, stabbings, assaults, some of which claimed the lives of five individuals since April 30, 2023.

Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni stated, “This investigation represents the unparalleled capabilities that we’ve developed to maintain lengthy and high-level investigations that use the best technology and leverage the partnerships across law enforcement that we have forged over many years. Creating safer communities is at the heart of all that we do as an office. With this investigation, we have unquestionably met that objective. I am deeply honored to lead and work with these courageous women and men. The talent and commitment by the individuals who collectively make up the investigative side of the Hampden District Attorney’s Office are second to none, and I wish to wholeheartedly thank them for their tremendous service.”

At the direction of Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni, both of his Hampen County Narcotics Task Force with the assistance of his S.A.F.E. Task Force, comprising mainly of state police detective from his office along with local and federal partners, with assistance from the Springfield Police Department, began a high level investigation into these drug trafficking organizations with the goal of identifying and dismantling these rival organizations. Detectives were able to identify those individuals who were in direct control of these organizations, as well as those individuals who were supplying them with illegal narcotics.

Astonishingly this investigation has so far resulted with the arrests of 20  individuals, with more indictments of co-conspirators to come, along with the seizure 10 kilograms of cocaine, half kilogram of heroin/fentanyl, 58 grams of methamphetamine, 20 firearms, and $406,344.

Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni stated, “This investigation was extraordinarily successful, due exclusively to the commitment and hard work of the many investigators involved. Nearly all of the suspects who were identified as operative and significant offenders in this area have been arrested and have been charged with serious criminal offenses, such as drug trafficking, firearms, and conspiracy to murder and violate drug laws. The targeted area is one of the most economically disadvantaged areas of the city. But, this does not mean that crime should run rampant, that the vast majority of its residents who are law-abiding and decent people, should not have peace and quiet. What it does mean is that those who are charged with public safety, including those in the court system, must respond. We must stand up for those who can’t do so for themselves. We must do what we can to ensure that all people can live without fear, and that all people have an equal opportunity to raise their kids safely and live peacefully. ”

In late August, three weeks into the investigation, intelligence was developed which required immediate action. It was learned that one of the targets of this investigation had the intent to travel to High Street to retrieve a firearm in an effort to shoot/kill an individual he had seen near his residence. Investigators were quickly directed to the area of High Street with the assistance of other investigators monitoring the city’s camera system and other surveillance tools to direct investigators. The target was observed travelling to High Street, retrieving a firearm, and departing. A subsequent traffic stop was conducted, and the target was found to be in possession of a firearm and arrested. He was indicted along with other conspirators for conspiracy to commit murder.

Of note, one suspect under arrest, Daniel Mendoza, was on lifetime parole for an August 1996 gang related homicide in Chicopee. He pled guilty to second degree murder amongst other charges and was granted parole on August 12, 2013.

Another individual who was arrested as a part of this effort is Fabian Rosario. Mr. Rosario was previously arrested in July of 2022 during a separate narcotics investigation in the same area. He was arrested after he struck an undercover trooper of the Massachusetts State Police in the face with a liquor bottle, and was subsequently indicted in Hampden Superior Court. On September 29, 2023, he was sentenced after an unagreed plea. Despite the Commonwealth’s recommendation to the court that he serve a 2 to 3 year sentence to state prison, he was sentenced to probation by the court.

During the course of this investigation the following were arrested:

 Brittany Lambert, 34, of Springfield, arrested December 18, 2023: Placed under arrest for outstanding arrest warrants. Additional charges to follow.

 Aimee Vega, 41, of Springfield, arrested December 18, 2023: Placed under arrest for outstanding arrest warrants. Additional charges to follow.

Lee Sandra Washington, 36, of Springfield, arrested on December 18, 2023: conspiracy to commit murder 

Dennis Jordan, 33, of Springfield, arrested on December 15, 2023: conspiracy to commit murder.

Miguel Turgeon, 41, of Belchertown, arrested on December 13, 2023: possession of a firearm without a license (three counts), trafficking in methamphetamine, trafficking, possession of ammunition without a license, possession of a large capacity weapon or feeding device.

Richard Rios, 44, of Springfield, arrested December 6, 2023: trafficking in cocaine, conspiracy to violate drug law.

Hector Rios, 46, of Springfield, arrested December 6, 2023: trafficking in cocaine.

 Louis Lebron, 36, of Springfield, arrested December 1, 2023: conspiracy to commit murder, conspiracy to violate drug law, possession of a firearm without a license, possession of ammunition without a license, firearm violation with three prior violent/drug crimes

 Fabien Rosario, 21, of Springfield, arrested on November 29, 2023: trafficking in cocaine, conspiracy to violate drug law, operating a motor vehicle with license suspended or revoked.

Treysean Perry, 28, of Springfield, arrested on November 29, 2023: conspiracy to violate drug law.

Ceddric Cruz, 21, of Springfield, arrested on November 29, 2023: conspiracy to violate drug law, trafficking in cocaine.

 Juan Villalba Matias, 42, of Springfield, arrested on November 28, 2023: trafficking in cocaine, possession of firearm and ammunition without a license subsequent offense, trafficking in heroin/morphine/opium, possession of a large capacity weapon or feeding device.

Igor Rios, 45, of Springfield, arrested on November 8, 2023: trafficking in cocaine, possession/carrying a firearm (three counts), possession of a large capacity weapon or feeding device, firearm viol with 1 prior violent/drug crime, conspiracy to violate drug law, possession of ammunition without a license, possession/carrying a firearm (2nd offense).

Daniel Mendoza, 43, of Springfield, arrested on November 8, 2023, and currently on lifetime parole for a 1996 homicide: trafficking in cocaine, possession / carrying a firearm (five counts), possession of a large capacity weapon or feeding device, possession / carrying a firearm, 2nd offense, firearm viol with 1 prior violent/drug crime, possession of ammunition without a license, conspiracy to violate drug law.

Nefty Gonzalez-Maldonado, 33, of Springfield, arrested on October 3, 2023: drug possession with intent to distribute (class A drug), unregistered motor vehicle, uninsured motor vehicle, attaching plates

Jose Maldonado-Cruz, 28, of Springfield, arrested on October 3, 2023: trafficking in cocaine.

Hector Reyes, 44, of Springfield, arrested September 18, 2030: possession of firearm without a license, possession of ammunition without a license, possession/carrying a firearm, trafficking in cocaine, firearm with defaced serial number, possession of a large capacity weapon or feeding device

Jean Carlos Rios Rivera, 24, of Springfield, arrested on September 14, 2023: drug possession class A, subsequent offense.

Michael Christian Dejesus Baez, 25, of New York, arrested on September 14, 2023: trafficking in heroin.

Jeffrey Washington, 32, of Springfield, arrested on August 23, 2023: conspiracy to commit murder, possession of a firearm and ammunition without a license, subsequent offense (two counts), possession/carrying a firearm, 2nd offense, possession of ammunition without a license, possession/carrying a firearm, drug possession with intent to distribute class B, operation of a motor vehicle with a license suspended or revoked.

The Hampden County Narcotics Taskforce: is comprised of Massachusetts State Police Detectives assigned to the Hampden District Attorney’s Offices, Officers from the Springfield, Chicopee, Holyoke, Police Departments, Hampden County Sherrif’s Department, and the Massachustts National Guard.

The S.A.F.E. Taskforce: is comprised of Massachusetts State Police Detectives assigned to the Hampden District Attorney’s Offices, Massachusetts State Police Gang Unit, Officers from the Chicopee, Holyoke, Springfield, East Longmeadow, West Springfield, and Southampton Police Departments, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, and Homeland Security Investigations.