13 Charged in Worcester Drug Trafficking Organization

BOSTON - Thirteen individuals have been charged for their alleged roles in a drug trafficking organization (DTO) operating in Central Massachusetts and Puerto Rico that distributed cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl and marijuana.

The following defendants have been charged with one count each of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances:

1. Jack Saez Jr., 34, residing in Dayville, Conn.;
2. Christopher Rivera Rodriguez, 32, residing in Puerto Rico;
3. Jan Carlos Martinez Mendez, 23, residing in Puerto Rico;
4. Dayanara Mendez, residing in Dayville, Conn.;
5. Shaquille De Jesus Torres, 32, residing in Puerto Rico;
6. Gerardo Villegas Rodriguez, 28, residing in the Dominican Republic;
7. Sheldon Herring, 48, residing in Worcester, Mass.;
8. Duamel Ocasio, 55, residing in Worcester, Mass.;
9. Anthony Hines, 57, residing in Worcester, Mass.;
10. Stephen Bandilla III, 55, residing in East Brookfield, Mass.;
11. Justin Gilchrest, 34, residing in Webster, Mass.;
12. Alondra Daleishka Cruz Mendoza, 23, residing in Puerto Rico; and
13. Ushuuaniliz Hernandez Rios; 21, residing in Puerto Rico.

According to the charging documents, Saez was the leader of a DTO that was receiving packages through the mail containing kilogram quantities of cocaine from Puerto Rico for distribution in Massachusetts. Over the course of the investigation, more than 10 kilograms of cocaine that had been shipped through the mail from Puerto Rico to addresses in Worcester County was seized. It is further alleged that Saez's DTO also distributed methamphetamine and fentanyl.

Searches of multiple stash houses and residences in Massachusetts and Puerto Rico allegedly resulted in the seizure of eight firearms along with distribution quantities of other narcotics.

The charge of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, 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 statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Jarod A. Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Jason Buckley, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service's Boston Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by Homeland Security Investigations; United States Marshals Service; Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco & Firearms; Southern Worcester County Drug & Counter Crime Task Force; Puerto Rico Police Bureau; Massachusetts State Police; and the Auburn, Webster, Worcester, Southbridge, East Brookfield, Gardner, Leicester and Los Angeles Police Departments. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael E. Robinson and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sandra Gonzalez Sanchez of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit are prosecuting the case.

This case was investigated and prosecuted by the Boston Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) as part of Operation Take Back America. HSTFs, which were established by President Trump in Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion, are joint operations led by the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security. Operation Take Back America is a nationwide federal initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

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